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RELIGION AND THE CONTEMPORARY STRATEGIC

ENVIRONMENTCH (COL) BONNIE KOPPELL

807th Medical Command (Deployment Support)COMMAND CHAPLAIN

“Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy.”

Dr. Geert Hofstede(Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations - DPMSO)

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AGENDA

• Religion as an Aspect of Culture• Impact of Religion on Operational Environment• Role of the Chaplain• Soldier Leader Engagement /Religious Leader

Engagement • Freedom of Religion as US National Interest

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“Religion - the relatively modest dogma that God is not mad.”

— Salvador de Madariaga

What is Religion?

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NOTE: Religion ≠Spirituality

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Spirituality = Fostering the development of the spirit, seeking purpose

and meaning in life.

Religion = An institutional structure with defined beliefs and practices providing a methodology and community context for spiritual development.

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SO WHAT?

WHY DOES RELIGION MATTER?

WHY SHOULD IT MATTER TO YOU?

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Why Study Religion?“A fundamental requirement for military success is a sound understanding of the operational environment.

This requires a careful study of the geography, population, and culture (emphasis added).”

Joint Publication 3-0,”Joint Operations”, V-18

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RELIGION IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT

OF CULTURE

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Religion influences the thoughts/behavior of individuals,

groups, and states.

Knowing the religious factors helps us understand the culture.

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“Religion (as) the preeminent factor defining civilization will play a

central role in any effective national security policy.”

Jonathan Shaw quoting Samuel P. Huntington, ”The Role of Religion in National Security Policy Since September 11, 2001,” p. 8

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Why is This So Hard?

"Because of the degree to which we as Americans separate our spiritual lives from our private lives, we

face a certain difficulty in comprehending the depths to which religions and political considerations interact in shaping the perceptions and motivations of individuals

from other societies.”

From D. Johnston - Religion, The Missing Dimension in Statecraft, p. 5

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Why Is This So Important? “If there is any one lesson the last decade should have

taught us, we cannot ensure our security through unilateral action or by trying to impose our values on

other states and peoples. If we cannot make (Muslims) – as well as Buddhist, Hindus, and other

faiths – our lasting partners, we will not only lose the struggles against counterterrorism, we will lose the

world.”

Anthony Cordesman

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A Few Examples“From Russia, where fascists wrap themselves in the

flag of Orthodox Christianity, to India, where Hindu pogroms are carried out against Muslims, to the

Middle East, where Iran promotes terror in the name of Islam, the world looks with wonderment at the

multiplying millions who seem eager to hurl themselves back into the twelfth century.”

Alan and Heidi Toffler, War and Anti-War, p. 218

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Combat MultiplierIn the past - “Few American military personnel could be

said to have demonstrated much cultural awareness, much less an interest in acquiring it.”

What we have learned - “The more these (front-line) troops know about the local culture, the greater the chance that they will develop relationships that will prove useful to mission accomplishment.”

Lawrence Yates, The U.S. Military’s Experience in Stability Operations, 1789-2005, 32

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Religious perspectives impact:

• Values• Centers of Gravity• Objectives

Understanding the religious factors in the operational environment enables us to see the world through their eyes, not ours.

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Be Aware Of:1. Worship, rituals, customs, and practices of JIIM Force and

religious accommodation requirements.

2. Worship, rituals, customs, leaders, history, religious sites, beliefs, and practices of the indigenous populations.

3. Relationships among indigenous groups as impacted by religious factors.

4. The role of religious minorities in the operational environment.

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• Can be POSITIVE or NEGATIVE

• Can HELP or HINDER mission

• Can STABILIZE or DESTABILIZE legitimate government

ATP 1-05.03 (1-6)

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Impact of Religion

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Joint Publication 1-05 Religious Support

• Two major Chaplain responsibilities - religious advisement and religious support

• Religious advisement – focus on the impact of religion on joint operations

• Chaplains provide religious advisement consistent with their noncombatant status

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Chaplain ProductsChaplains may prepare:

• RIA- Religious Impact Assessment

• RAA- Religious Area Analysis

• Running Estimate as the Situation Evolves

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PMESII-PTChaplain will have input to the PMESII-PT operational analysis.

P - PoliticalM - MilitaryE - EconomicS - SocialI - InformationI - InfrastructureP - Physical EnvironmentT - Time

(see ATP 1-05.03, A-1ff for religious considerations within PMESII-PT analysis)

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PPolitical

MMilitary

EEconomic

SSocial

IInfrastructure

IInformation

PPhysical Environ.

TTime

AAreas

Consider religious political associations of power and regional

affiliation; majority vs. minority religious

demographics

Consider host nation military

chaplains; where are religious

services held; what religions

Consider impact of physical /

spiritual devastation;

impact of desperate poor

on Soldiers

Religious social bazaars, festivals,

gatherings outdoor

assembly sites; routes to and

from

Religious communication

networks, sacred religious identity

tied to land

Religious International news groups,

word of mouth, Religious

statements

What is the geography like

around significant

religious areas; what will

Soldiers face/ endure

How much time will it take

to clear an area; how

many Soldiers required

SStructures

National/Provincial/District religious centers, religious assembly halls,

primary religious and education sites;

monasteries/gravesites

How do we acquire more

chaplains; how are they

assessed ; how are they

sustained

Consider loss of essential

services; swelling refugee camps;

organizing search, rescue and disposition

teams

What religious authorities

grant permission for

weddings, burials,

initiations, healing and

salvation

Consider routes to and from

sacred sites; security for

religious sites; structure security

Religious radio and T.V. towers, printing shops

What kind of terrain

surrounds significant

religious sites

Military chapel close/expand, development of host nation

Chaplain Corps

/partnerships

CCapabilities

Disputed religious political resolutions,

transcendent religious ideologies, International religious leadership ability to impact host nation

policy

What chaplaincy capabilities are required for this

mission; how capable are the UMTs; assess

resiliency

Consider Soldiers ability to cope

with trauma, loss, development of moral decisions

and distribute aid

What kind of influence do

religious societies

demonstrate; what are their capabilities

Ability to navigate repair\open roads, to

deliver essential services; distribute

needed aid

What % of religious

leaders are formally

trained; in what disciplines

How many people can a site manage; ease of

access; how many can a site accommodate

and safely secure

Illumination cycle, weather

impacts religious activities

OOrganizatio

ns

What Religious Political Groups,

International affiliations, and Faith Based Organizations

operate in AO

Consider external religious

coalitions and international

NGOsOperating in AO

How does host nation receive aid and distribute it to the populace; is it equitable;

how do Soldiers react

What are the influential

social organizations;

are they effective

What religious organizations/ ministries of

relief, faith-based NGOs in AO

Religious News organizations,

influential pulpits,

extremist views

How do religious groups

demonstrate care for ecology;

future generations

What religious organizations define sacred time, declare

holidays

PPeople

What Influential religious leaders,

councils, and religious educators;

financial contributors;

extremist leaders

Consider religious

demographics of military units; and populace;

how do we assess the

critical spiritual needs of Soldiers

Consider how host nation

religious groups are

funded/wages; how are they

dispersing and executing aid

Who are the Influential

social leaders, influencing families; are

they religious actors

Certified workers.

Security teams governmental oversight and approval for

repairing religious buildings

Religious Media owners,

prominent preachers,

elders, heads of family

How do religious leaders and

members show environmental

concern

When are religious leaders

appointed and for how long; how long can

Soldiers endure

EEvents

Religious global councils and

religious assemblies; provincial religious council meetings; religious festivals

Consider kinetic events, loss of Soldier/leader;

change in mission

Consider religious feasts;

visitations to religious sites and religious tourism and

associate values

What are the religious

festivals, high holidays, and sacred times;

where celebrated

Consider religious ground breaking events; and respectful closing of sites

Religious service times,

renewal campaigns,

critical religious incidents

How does religion speak to

devastating weather and

natural disasters

Chronos and Kairos of the

days of recovery, seasonal events,

agricultural lifecycle events

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A Few Examples

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1.You are newly assigned to Afghanistan as part of a Combat Operational Stress Control team and are arranging a meeting with the local Imam. Heshould be seated:

A - Next to the highest ranking chaplain, who is female.B - Next to the highest ranking male leader.C - Next to the prettiest young woman.D - In closest proximity to the food.

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2. As part of the peacekeeping force in theSinai, you are meeting with an Israelicounterpart who is an Orthodox Jew. You should:

A - Plan the meeting for a Saturday when he is off work.B - Serve bacon cheeseburgers.C - Dress modestly.D - Suggest the female Chaplain greet him with a warm hug.

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3. You are deployed to India aspart of a peacekeeping force. You should:

A - Instruct your driver to honk and accelerate aggressively toward cattle to clear the road.B - Instruct your soldiers to avoid disturbing wildlife when possible, especially cows. C - Allow your soldiers to shoot at cattle for target practice.D - Invite village leaders to a steak barbeque at your compound.

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4. You are stationed in Japan as aliaison officer. You should:

A - Leave some rice in your bowl when finishing a meal andplace your chopsticks vertically as a salute to your host’sgenerosity.B - Stomp your boots twice before entering a shrine to givewarning to evil spirits. C - Help a colleague struggling with chopsticks by usingyour chopsticks to help them grasp a slippery vegetable. D - Wash your face and mouth in the purification fountainand spit out the water before entering a Shinto shrine.

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5. You are training military doctorsin Algeria during Ramadan. You should:

A - Invite your Muslim colleagues to a lunchmeeting to discuss treatment strategies.B - Make sure tea and coffee are available inmeeting rooms during the day.C - Graciously accept an invitation to dinner aftersundown.D - Greet your Algerian counterparts in themorning with a gift of American chocolates and insist they try some.

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There are a myriad of ways we can offend!

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Communication SynchronizationEVERYTHING

we say or do sends a message!

What you MEAN to say may not be what is HEARD!

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The Tactical Meets the Strategic

• Where - Afghanistan• When - Spring 2012• What - US personnel take action to remove

Qurans that had been cut up and written in by detainees in order to communicate messages

• IMPACT - US Forces’ actions perceived as religious persecution rather than counter-insurgency effort

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Communication - Culturally Specific“Acting without understanding our audiences can

lead to critical misunderstandings with serious consequences. Understanding subjective

impacts of culture, language, history, religion, environment, and other factors is critical when crafting communication strategy for a relevant

population.”

USAWC, Information Operations Primer, AY13 Edition, 52

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What are your

experiences?32

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Religious Leader EngagementChaplains will often be involved in liaison activities with both:

Indigenous Faith Group LeadersFaith-based NGO’s

Cultural sensitivity is critical.Lack of favoritism is critical.

MUST BE ORDED BY THE COMMANDER!FM 1-05, Religious Support, 2-2

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Why?Soldier and Leader Engagement support the goals of

both:

• INFORMING and

• INFLUENCING key players in the OE.

(for further information, see FM 3-13: Inform and Influence Activities)

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Liaison Activity

1. Build mutual trust

2. Promote human rights

3. Develop appropriate command relationships within OA

(FM 1-05, 1-5)

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How?Premium on ListeningBe aware of own assumptions/biasesUnderstand cultural differences re:

• Communication styles• Attitudes toward conflict• Approaches to completing tasks• Decision making styles• Attitudes toward personal disclosure• Approaches to knowing

(from Maxie McFarland, “Military Cultural Education,” 67ff)

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Religious Freedom: A National Security Priority

“The United States will continue to make the promotion of international religious freedom a

key national security and foreign policy priority for the United States, to advocate forcefully for these issues publically and privately, in both multilateral and bilateral

settings.”Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor,

30 July 2012

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From Secretary of State Clinton• Religious freedom is an essential element of secure and

thriving societies

• There’s a big difference between democracy and the tyranny of the majority

• Religious freedom . . .is a bedrock priority of our foreign policy

• Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion are enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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President Obama’s Vision:• Religion as a force for unity - cf the Golden

Rule, common commitment to love humanity, spread peace, and reject violence

• Religious diversity as the foundation of strong and vibrant societies - reward societies which evidence religious moderation

as summarized by Shaw, op. cit., 31-32

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“More than at any point in human history- the interests of nations and peoples are shared. The religious

convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people,

or tear us apart.”

President Barack Obama, United Nations General Assembly, September 22, 2009

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Multinational Social IntelligenceHISTORY AND CULTURE MATTER;

SO DOES LEADERSHIP!

“The burdens of governance require culturally astute leaders and joint forces capable of adapting to

nuances of religion, ethnicity, and a number of other considerations essential to success. The military

force should, consistent with security requirements, respect the religious celebrations and the legitimate

activities of religious leaders.”-

Joint Publication 3-07, “Stability Operations,” xxviii

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The Way Ahead:• EXPAND AND INCENTIVIZE…CULTURAL

TRAINING ACROSS THE FORCE (P. 12)

• EXPAND CULTURAL EXPERTISE IN ALL SERVICES (P. 31)

Decade of War, Vol. 1 - Enduring Lessons from the Past Decade of Operations, Joint and Coalition Operational Analysis, 15 June 2012

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This Means You!BE A CULTURALLY ASTUTE LEADER!

UNDERSTAND THE RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES IN YOUR OPERATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT!

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ReferencesClinton, Hillary. “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on International

Religious Freedom.” Remarks at the Carnegie Endowment to mark therelease of the State Department’s International Religious FreedomReport for 2011, Washington, DC, July 30, 2012.http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/07/30/secretary-of-state-hillaryclinton-on-international-religious-freedom/d2no (accessed July 6, 2013).

Cordesman, Anthony H. “The Lessons and Challenges of September2011- the New ‘9/11.’” Center for Strategic & International Studies.http://csis.org/publication/lessons-and-challenges-september-2011-new911 (accessed July 6, 2013).

Johnston, D., Ed. Religion, The Missing Dimension in Statecraft. NewYork: Oxford University Press, 1994.

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References, Cont’d. Joint and Coalition Operational Analysis (JCOA). Decade of War,

Volume I: Enduring Lessons from the Past Decade of Operations. Suffolk, VA: Joint and Coalition Operational Analysis, June 15, 2012. http://blogs.defensenews.com/saxotech-access/pdfs/decade-of-war-lessons-learned.pdf (accessed July 6, 2013).

McFarland, Maxie. “Military Cultural Education.” Military Review 85, no. 2 (March-April 2005): 62-69.

Shaw, Jonathan. The Role of Religion in National Security Policy Since September 11, 2001. Carlisle Papers. Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College, February 2011.

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References, Cont’d.TRADOC Culture Center. https://ikn.army.mil/apps/tccv2/ (accessed

July 6, 2013).

Toffler, Alvin and Heidi. War and Anti-War: Survival at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1993.

Yates, Lawrence A. The US Military's Experience in Stability Operations, 1789-2005. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, 2006.

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Military PublicationsU.S. Department of the Army. Army Chaplain Corps Activities. Army Regulation

165-1. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Army, December 3, 2009.

U.S. Department of the Army. Inform and Influence Activities. Field Manual 3-13. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Army, January 25, 2013.

U.S. Army War College. Information Operations Primer: Fundamentals of Information Operations. Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations & Center for Strategic Leadership, AY 2013 Edition.

U.S. Department of Defense. Joint Operations. Joint Publication 3-0. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, August 11, 2011.

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Military Publications, Cont’d.U.S. Department of Defense. Religious Affairs in Joint Operations. Joint

Publication 1-05. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, November 13, 2009.

U.S. Department of the Army. Religious Support. Field Manual 1-05. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Army, October 5, 2012.

U.S. Department of the Army. Religious Support and External Advisement. Army Techniques Publication 1-05.03. Washington, DC: May 3, 2013.

U.S. Department of Defense. Stability Operations. Joint Publication 3-07. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, September 29, 2011.

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Special Thanks To:MSG Steven Ferguson2LT Marc DeLucaCH (LTC) Robert BradyCH (LTC) Ira HouckCH (COL) Mike DugalCH (COL) Kenneth SampsonCH (COL) Jonathan Shaw

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QUESTIONS?