“The United States doesn’t have friends. The United States has interests.” ~ Ghosts of Rwanda

Reading Madeleine Albright’s book The Mighty and the Almighty allows us to look behind closed doors of political power into the moral considerations and compromises of someone whose decisions have had a massive impact on the world. Her example prompts us to wonder how compatible moral obligations are with national interests and how they factor into policy decisions that can spell life or death for millions. How do we balance political “realism” with religious duties and callings? Is is it always a dangerous road to connect religious beliefs to policy? Could a little more moral courage, compassion, or faith in high places have helped America and the world respond more humanely to the genocides in Rwanda and Darfur? Why is human suffering and injustice abroad seen by many as outside the national interest of what is so often described as a “Christian nation”? Especially during election week, should we be trying to reconcile our religious callings and moral convictions with our status as voting members of the most powerful nation in the world?

Suggested Readings:
Madeleine Albright, The Mighty and the Almighty, Chapters 4 and 5