Religion and War

While secular analysis emphasizes the role of greed for power, land and resources and of grievances over unjust, undemocratic regimes and human rights abuses in armed conflict, warring parties as far back as ancient Israel and the Crusades and as recent as the Islamic State use religious imagery and rationales to draw in recruits and justify their actions. Arguments abound around whether Islamist insurgents groups' harsh interpretations of Sharia law are in fact in line with Islam or whether Islam is the religion of peace many moderate believers claim it is. However, approaches to fighting religious extremist groups that fail to understand and address the religious dimensions of the conflicts have not had any lasting effects.

• Religion in the War on Terrorism

In "Religion in Politics and the War on Terrorism," Hans Sinn draws attention to the importance of religion in the Israel - Palestine conflict and the War on Terrorism declared by President Bush after the 9/11 attack.

• Religious Sanction of Sexual Slavery

Special Representative of the UNSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura's report Faith in Islam and Faith in Women and the New York Times article ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape are among many reports of religiously sanctioned rape and enslavement of young women from minority religious groups by ISIS fighters.