Q: Why is defending freedom of religion an objective of U.S. diplomacy?

A: With more than 80 percent of the world’s population living in countries with significant restrictions on religious freedom, this universal human right is one of the defining issues of our day.

The United States will not stand by as a spectator to religious oppression. We will get in the ring and fight for those seeking to exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief. We have a moral obligation to do