The mighty and the Almighty [electronic resource] : reflections on America, God, and world affairs

In The Mighty And The Almighty, Madeleine Albright Examines The Profound Impact Of Religion On America's View Of Itself, The Effect On U.s. Policy Of The Rise Of The Christian Right, The Bush Administration's Successes And Failures In Responding To 9/11, The Challenges Posed By The War In Iraq, And The Importance Of Understanding Islam. She Offers A Balanced But, When Necessary, Devastating Analysis Of U.s. Strategy, And Condemns Those Of All Faiths Who Exploit Religious Fervor To Create Divisions Or Enhance Their Own Power. In This Illuminating Account, Albright Argues That, To Be Effective, U.s. Policy Makers Must Understand The Power And Place Of Religion In Motivating Others And In Coloring How American Actions Are Perceived. Defying The Conventional Wisdom, She Suggests Not Only That Religion And Politics Are Inseparable, But That Their Partnership, When Properly Harnessed, Can Be A Force For Justice And Peace. Part 1. God, Liberty, Country. The Mighty And The Almighty -- The Eyes Of All People Are Upon Us -- Good Intentions Gone Astray : Vietnam And The Shah -- The Question Of Conscience -- Faith And Diplomacy -- The Devil And Madeleine Albright -- Because It Is Right -- Part 2. Cross, Crescent, Star. Learning About Islam -- Holy Land, But Whose? -- The Greatest Jihad -- God Wants Me To Be President -- Iraq : Unintended Consequences -- Confronting Al Qaeda -- The Saudi Dilemma -- Arab Democracy -- Islam In The West -- Africa : A Race For Souls -- Part 3. Final Reflections. The Whole Shooting Match -- Summoning The Better Angels. Madeleine Albright With Bill Woodward ; [introduction By William J. Clinton]. With A New Afterword--cover. Includes Index. In this fascinating book, Madeleine Albright weaves together history, personal experiences, and brilliant analysis in exploring how religion can be a force for liberty and tolerance rather than oppression and terror." -- Walter Isaacson, author of The Code Breaker The New York Times bestselling author and former secretary of state Madeleine Albright offers a provocative and very personal look at the role of religion in Americas foreign policy Traditionally, Americas foreign policy professionals have sought to downplay the impact of religious beliefs in international affairs. Reinforced by the constitutional separation between church and state, policymakers have shied away from this potentially volatile and divisive issue. In this timely precient book, one of the most renowned figures in American politic argues that in todays climate, a secular approach is no longer sufficient. The 21st century seems to be devolving into a period of religious war, and in an era of confrontation between international terrorism and the West, our political leaders can no longer avoid dealing directly and explicitly with religious issues. In The Mighty and the Almighty, Madeleine Albright examines religion and foreign affairs through the lens of U.S. history as well as her own experience in public office. She offers a sharp critique of U.S. policy, condemnation for those who exploit religious fervor for violent ends, and praise for political, cultural, and spiritual leaders who seek to harness the values of faith to unite us in these confusing and dangerous times. Illuminating and engrossing, this is a provocative work calling for leadership that is bold enough to rein in divisive religious rivalries and lay the groundwork for a new moral consensus. Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over U.S. foreign policy? And how should America deal with violent Islamist extremists? Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state and bestselling author of Madam Secretary, offers a thoughtful and often surprising look at the role of religion in shaping America's approach to the world. Drawing upon her experiences while in office and her own deepest beliefs about morality, the United States, and the present state of world affairs, a woman noted for plain speaking offers her thoughts about the most controversial topics of our time. In The Mighty and the Almighty, Madeleine Albright examines the profound impact of religion on America's view of itself, the effect on U.S. policy of the rise of the Christian right, the Bush administration's successes and failures in responding to 9/11, the challenges posed by the war in Iraq, and the importance of understanding Islam. She offers a balanced but, when necessary, devastating analysis of U.S. strategy and condemns those of all faiths who exploit religious fervor to create divisions or enhance their own power. In this illuminating account, Albright argues that, to be effective, U.S. policy-makers must understand the power and place of religion in motivating others and in coloring how American actions are perceived. Defying the conventional wisdom, she suggests not only that religion and politics are inseparable, but that their partnership, when properly harnessed, can be a force for justice and peace.