Eastern Orthodox Church

Confronting Authoritarians around the Globe

The Modern Axis of Christian Persecutors

In China, faith in Christ as the only way to heaven is considered “cultist” theology by the government. In Russia, Christians must seek state approval to proselytize and are often...

Serbia and Georgia aren’t our friends — They’re authoritarian regimes courting Trump

When autocrats seek legitimacy, they often travel in pairs. Such was the case when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic traveled to Tbilisi in June. While this was the first visit by a Serbian...

Why the EU Should Sanction Russia’s Patriarch

The Russian Orthodox Church’s sanctification of Russia’s war on Ukraine has met with little retort from Europe.

Putin Demands Believers in Ukraine Pray His Way

astor Vladimir Ryitkov was leading Sunday mass in Russian-occupied Luhansk, Ukraine when Russian military and police officers burst into his small Baptist church. Armed with assault rifles, “they brusquely...

Russian Orthodox Propaganda Takes Aim at Patriarch Bartholomew, Calling Him ‘Antichrist in Cassock’

In its ongoing attacks on religious organizations with the potential to erode Moscow’s sway in its former sphere of influence, Russian intelligence is now stooping to demonological name-calling.

After Israel-Hamas war, Egyptian Copts face ambiguous future

For almost a decade, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has wanted to curb religious extremism and enhance the status of Christians in his country. In the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7th attacks...

Putin is opening up a new front against the West

The Balkans are set to explode unless urgent action is taken by NATO to quell Russian and Serbian aggression in Kosovo

Zelensky Calls Meeting with Serbian President ‘Fruitful’

Tensions between Ukraine and Serbia have been high, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic saying on Aug. 10 that 'If Ukraine recognizes Kosovo’s independence, it will lose everything in one day.'

Breaking a leg in Jerusalem: How Arab-Israeli kindness challenged my assumptions

The kindness of one stranger from the West Bank doesn’t change the challenges associated with the two-state solution, but it certainly feels like the right time to question some of my assumptions.

Russia’s Hybrid War Against Montenegro

Irked by Montenegro’s accession to NATO, Russia and its traditional ally Serbia are trying to undermine democracy throughout the Balkans in their general strategy of dividing Europe.

Strategery 101

When an enemy attacks a friend, back the friend

Waging Psychological War Against Russia

The U.S. has a real opportunity to erode Putin’s propaganda.

Israel Needs to Speak Out and Hold Putin Accountable for His Crimes and Lies

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that his “special military operation” aims to “de-Nazify” Ukraine, portraying his troops as freeing ethnic Russians from a fascistic regime in Kyiv. Yet despite...

The Threat to the West Is Inside the House

The United States and Europe need to toughen up on the spoilers in their own ranks.

Russia’s Power Games Extend to the Orthodox Church

Pushing back against Russia’s multipronged assault on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which includes Putin and Erdogan’s coordinated pressure on an institution they see as posing a threat to their respective illiberal projects, requires devising and implementing a concerted transatlantic strategy.

State Department Should Deliver an Honest Message about Turkey’s Religious Freedom Record

The US Department of State’s annual report on international religious freedom, released on May 12, documents the ongoing erosion of freedom of religion or belief in Turkey. The report echoes the concerns...

Turkey Needs to Change its Policy and Rhetoric Toward Religious Minorities

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan stunned his country’s Christians and Jews by publicly using the slur “gavur” (infidel), a pejorative designation for non-Muslims, to criticize...

Russia-Turkey Pincer Movement Threatens Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Survival

It is time the West offered robust support to the Istanbul-based Patriarchate – now being squeezed by Ankara and Moscow, both of which see it as a threat to their illiberal projects.

Turkey Uses Medieval Score-Settling To Justify Its Hagia Sophia Conversion

Europe is now home to one of the world’s strangest paradoxes. The continent’s most prominent mosque, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, has served as a church since the year 1236. Meanwhile, Ankara in July converted Europe’s...