Prioritizing Religious Freedom in U.S. Foreign Policy

Cissie Graham Lynch has been announced as the nominee to fill the vacancy of the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Her nomination is pending confirmation from the Senate and comes at a consequential moment for U.S. foreign policy and persecuted religious communities abroad.

As Christians around the world face persistent violence, discrimination, and persecution, the United States has a critical opportunity to defend religious freedom through stronger foreign policy and strategic partnerships. Some of the world’s oldest Christian communities have endured centuries of persecution, but continued presence in their historic homelands remain at risk. As countries across the Middle East enter periods of political transition, the United States is uniquely positioned to help shape their path toward stability and normalization by making religious freedom, equal citizenship, and protections for religious minorities central to its engagement. 

Following years of U.S. sanctions on Syria, Congress repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in December 2025 and removed Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism just months after. However, repealing the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act was done in conjunction with the implementation of statutory reporting requirements in an effort to hold the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) accountable in their progress toward religious reforms. Statutory reporting is required once every 180 days, but there have been no reports yet despite the length of time since putting the requirements in place. Once eventually completed, these reports will help establish benchmarks showing whether the STG has made progress toward establishing a government rooted in rule of law, equal citizenship, religious freedom, and protections for religious and ethnic minorities.

If enforced, continued oversight gives the United States an opportunity to evaluate whether Syria’s government is making meaningful progress on human rights and protections for religious and ethnic minorities.  If the U.S. can support meaningful political and institutional progress in transitioning foreign nations, this would not only help promote religious freedom abroad, but also help strengthen long-term U.S. partnerships and regional stability.

The next stage of the process lies with the Senate. Once confirmed, the next Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom will assume the responsibility of promoting religious freedom around the world. By monitoring religious persecution, engaging directly with foreign governments, and helping shape U.S. policy responses, the Ambassador can ensure that religious freedom remains a central consideration in American foreign policy.