Knox Thames
@knoxthames.bsky.social
Former diplomat writing about human rights, religious freedom, and interfaith understanding. Author of ENDING PERSECUTION. https://shorturl.at/fe3jE
In my latest Religion & Global Affairs newsletter, I discuss the freeze on foreign assistance, the demise of USAID, and the halt on refugee resettlement. I explain why foreign aid and human rights promotion align with U.S. interests and reflect our values. www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...
Religion & Global Affairs Newsletter, Vol. 6, Issue 28
To say that a lot has happened in Washington, DC since January would be an epic understatement. I want to address the freeze on foreign assistance, the demise of USAID, and the suspension of refugee r...
www.knoxthames.com
March 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In my latest Religion & Global Affairs newsletter, I discuss the freeze on foreign assistance, the demise of USAID, and the halt on refugee resettlement. I explain why foreign aid and human rights promotion align with U.S. interests and reflect our values. www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...
On Friday, I met with Ukrainian pastors seeking US support against Russia and wrote about it for @thedispatch. The future of US-Ukraine relations is now very uncertain, but we must not overlook Russia's religious persecution and the kidnapping of children. thedispatch.com/article/russ...
Religious Persecution is Part of Russia’s Battle Plan
A delegation of Ukrainian pastors plead for continued U.S. support.
thedispatch.com
March 2, 2025 at 12:39 PM
On Friday, I met with Ukrainian pastors seeking US support against Russia and wrote about it for @thedispatch. The future of US-Ukraine relations is now very uncertain, but we must not overlook Russia's religious persecution and the kidnapping of children. thedispatch.com/article/russ...
UnPopulist Magazine ran an excerpt from my book about religious persecution in India. The country provides an example of a religious majority transforming their beliefs into law at the ballot box and having them enforced against minorities. www.theunpopulist.net/p/hindu-indi...
Hindu India Has Been Mimicking China's Authoritarians in Persecuting Minorities
Yet both Democratic and Republican administrations ignored its rising persecution to counter China even before President Trump's return
www.theunpopulist.net
February 1, 2025 at 10:14 PM
UnPopulist Magazine ran an excerpt from my book about religious persecution in India. The country provides an example of a religious majority transforming their beliefs into law at the ballot box and having them enforced against minorities. www.theunpopulist.net/p/hindu-indi...
Extremely productive week of field research investigating how sacred sites from different faiths can promote peaceful pluralism. Appreciate Good Faith Partnership facilitating the many site visits in Coventry and London.
February 1, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Extremely productive week of field research investigating how sacred sites from different faiths can promote peaceful pluralism. Appreciate Good Faith Partnership facilitating the many site visits in Coventry and London.
Fascinating to visit Coventry Cathedral and learn about their reconciliation work. Inspiring how, despite the destruction of the cathedral during WW2, they decided to pursued forgiveness and not hate. Their sacred site provides a place to promote peaceful pluralism.
January 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Fascinating to visit Coventry Cathedral and learn about their reconciliation work. Inspiring how, despite the destruction of the cathedral during WW2, they decided to pursued forgiveness and not hate. Their sacred site provides a place to promote peaceful pluralism.
Appreciated speaking about the challenges facing religious minorities in Syria after the fall of Bashar Al Assad. Thanks International Center for Law and Religion Studies for hosting.
talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/01/26/r...
talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/01/26/r...
Religious Minorities in Post-Assad Syria - Talk About: Law and Religion
Knox Thames, international human rights lawyer and a senior fellow at Pepperdine University, and Andrea Pin, professor of law at University of Padua, discuss religious minority dynamics in post-Assad ...
talkabout.iclrs.org
January 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Appreciated speaking about the challenges facing religious minorities in Syria after the fall of Bashar Al Assad. Thanks International Center for Law and Religion Studies for hosting.
talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/01/26/r...
talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/01/26/r...
A cold morning to walk the dog…
January 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A cold morning to walk the dog…
Thank you, East-West Center, for hosting this thoughtful discussion about religious freedom in Asia. I appreciated the opportunity to highlight my book and share ideas with experts on how the United States can pursue consequential human rights diplomacy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjw3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjw3...
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Thank you, East-West Center, for hosting this thoughtful discussion about religious freedom in Asia. I appreciated the opportunity to highlight my book and share ideas with experts on how the United States can pursue consequential human rights diplomacy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjw3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjw3...
Friends in London—Excited to join Nazila Ghanea and others at the LSE Faith Centre to discuss my book 📕 ENDING PERSECUTION later this month.
Don’t miss it—register here:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Don’t miss it—register here:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
January 16, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Friends in London—Excited to join Nazila Ghanea and others at the LSE Faith Centre to discuss my book 📕 ENDING PERSECUTION later this month.
Don’t miss it—register here:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Don’t miss it—register here:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
I'm excited to join this incredible panel on Thursday. Don't miss the discussion—tune in!
Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar www.eastwestcenter.org/events/asses...
Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar www.eastwestcenter.org/events/asses...
Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar
Join the East-West Center in Washington for a webinar on January 16, 2025 at 9:30 AM ET entitled, "Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar."
www.eastwestcenter.org
January 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I'm excited to join this incredible panel on Thursday. Don't miss the discussion—tune in!
Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar www.eastwestcenter.org/events/asses...
Assessing Religious Freedom in Asia: Perspectives from China, India, and Myanmar www.eastwestcenter.org/events/asses...
My Sunday essay for The Dispatch focuses on the future of Christians and other minorities in Syria. Stability will only come to the war-ravaged nation if the new powers treat everyone as equal citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
thedispatch.com/article/will...
thedispatch.com/article/will...
Will the World Protect Syria’s Religious Minorities?
The new regime in Damascus brings questions and opportunities.
thedispatch.com
January 12, 2025 at 12:26 PM
My Sunday essay for The Dispatch focuses on the future of Christians and other minorities in Syria. Stability will only come to the war-ravaged nation if the new powers treat everyone as equal citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
thedispatch.com/article/will...
thedispatch.com/article/will...
Excited to visit Tampa this weekend to speak on ending persecution for ALL. (The timing has no connection with DC weather!) I'll represent CAAP Network at this important event convened by Bayshore Baptist Church and Stefanus Alliance International. bayshorebaptistchurch.com/latest-news/...
January 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Excited to visit Tampa this weekend to speak on ending persecution for ALL. (The timing has no connection with DC weather!) I'll represent CAAP Network at this important event convened by Bayshore Baptist Church and Stefanus Alliance International. bayshorebaptistchurch.com/latest-news/...
Check out my article for Deseret News about how the United States can effectively combat religious persecution by pairing consequential religious freedom diplomacy with refugee resettlement. The combination can save lives while we encourage countries to reform. www.deseret.com/opinion/2025...
Opinion: Advancing religious freedom with refugee resettlement
Syrian Christians and other persecuted minorities look to America as a beacon of hope. An effective refugee resettlement system is essential to meet the needs of those fleeing systemic religious perse...
www.deseret.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Check out my article for Deseret News about how the United States can effectively combat religious persecution by pairing consequential religious freedom diplomacy with refugee resettlement. The combination can save lives while we encourage countries to reform. www.deseret.com/opinion/2025...
Virginia has some extraordinary scenery, such as the 200-foot-high natural bridge near Lexington. My picture doesn’t do it justice.
January 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Virginia has some extraordinary scenery, such as the 200-foot-high natural bridge near Lexington. My picture doesn’t do it justice.
New year, new opportunities to make a difference. Praying that in 2025 we can create a brighter future.
January 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New year, new opportunities to make a difference. Praying that in 2025 we can create a brighter future.
It's the Season of Hope -- and there’s still hope the Bengals can make the playoffs!
December 29, 2024 at 1:51 AM
It's the Season of Hope -- and there’s still hope the Bengals can make the playoffs!
Through the collective effort of people of goodwill around the world, I hope and pray we can bend the universe a bit closer toward justice in 2025.
December 23, 2024 at 8:22 PM
Through the collective effort of people of goodwill around the world, I hope and pray we can bend the universe a bit closer toward justice in 2025.
My book is available in both hardback and Kindle on Amazon.
Or if you order from Notre Dame Press, you can save 40% by entering promo code 14HOLIDAY at checkout. undpress.nd.edu/978026820867...
Or if you order from Notre Dame Press, you can save 40% by entering promo code 14HOLIDAY at checkout. undpress.nd.edu/978026820867...
Ending Persecution
Building on his extensive experience in the U.S. government and as an international human rights lawyer, H. Knox Thames provides fresh, decisive strategies t...
undpress.nd.edu
December 23, 2024 at 8:22 PM
My book is available in both hardback and Kindle on Amazon.
Or if you order from Notre Dame Press, you can save 40% by entering promo code 14HOLIDAY at checkout. undpress.nd.edu/978026820867...
Or if you order from Notre Dame Press, you can save 40% by entering promo code 14HOLIDAY at checkout. undpress.nd.edu/978026820867...
My recommendations focus on Consistency, Coalitions, Call-outs, and Consequences. And while religious freedom diplomacy is crucial, reforms will take decades. A robust refugee resettlement program complements any strategy by providing a way out for those needing immediate rescue.
December 23, 2024 at 8:21 PM
My recommendations focus on Consistency, Coalitions, Call-outs, and Consequences. And while religious freedom diplomacy is crucial, reforms will take decades. A robust refugee resettlement program complements any strategy by providing a way out for those needing immediate rescue.
I identify four typologies: 1) authoritarian persecution, 2) extremist persecution, 3) democratic persecution, and 4) terrorist persecution. But I just don't document the problem--I also discuss responses we attempted at the State Department to advance American values and interests.
December 23, 2024 at 8:20 PM
I identify four typologies: 1) authoritarian persecution, 2) extremist persecution, 3) democratic persecution, and 4) terrorist persecution. But I just don't document the problem--I also discuss responses we attempted at the State Department to advance American values and interests.
As Christmas approaches and 2024 comes to an end, we need to recommit in 2025 to combating persecution impacting anyone for their beliefs. In my book released this year, ENDING PERSECUTION, I define the problem and offer solutions.
December 23, 2024 at 8:20 PM
As Christmas approaches and 2024 comes to an end, we need to recommit in 2025 to combating persecution impacting anyone for their beliefs. In my book released this year, ENDING PERSECUTION, I define the problem and offer solutions.
A pandemic of persecution continues to victimize people of all faiths and none worldwide, as millions face discrimination or violence for their beliefs. The recent report by Pew shows the magnitude of the problem, with both governmental and societal repression. religionnews.com/2024/12/18/s...
Report ranks countries where religion faces highest government and social persecution
(RNS) — The Pew Research Center’s annual report on government restrictions on religion highlights that governmental attacks on religion and social hostility toward religion usually ‘go hand in hand.’
religionnews.com
December 23, 2024 at 8:20 PM
A pandemic of persecution continues to victimize people of all faiths and none worldwide, as millions face discrimination or violence for their beliefs. The recent report by Pew shows the magnitude of the problem, with both governmental and societal repression. religionnews.com/2024/12/18/s...
The remarkable events in Syria liberated millions from tyranny, but Syrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities remain fearful of their future. Should the new powers persecute Christians and other minorities, these groups will have to run for their lives.
But they are not alone.
But they are not alone.
December 23, 2024 at 8:19 PM
The remarkable events in Syria liberated millions from tyranny, but Syrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities remain fearful of their future. Should the new powers persecute Christians and other minorities, these groups will have to run for their lives.
But they are not alone.
But they are not alone.
I hadn't been to a Washington Wizards game in years. Despite their struggles, fun environment. They played tough and got the win against the Hornets. And it was entertaining to watch Melo drop 34.
December 20, 2024 at 4:43 PM
I hadn't been to a Washington Wizards game in years. Despite their struggles, fun environment. They played tough and got the win against the Hornets. And it was entertaining to watch Melo drop 34.
My latest Religion & Global Affairs Newsletter looks back at two seminal events of 2024: Donald Trump's return to the White House and Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in Syria. Both have huge implications for global religious freedom and religious minorities.
www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...
www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...
Religion & Global Affairs Newsletter, Vol. 5, Issue 27
As the year ends, a few final thoughts for 2024. The return of Donald Trump to the White House and the exit of Bashar al-Assad are seminal events. For the United States, many hope the second Trump adm...
www.knoxthames.com
December 19, 2024 at 3:07 AM
My latest Religion & Global Affairs Newsletter looks back at two seminal events of 2024: Donald Trump's return to the White House and Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in Syria. Both have huge implications for global religious freedom and religious minorities.
www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...
www.knoxthames.com/post/religio...