Background

We believe the counterterrorism aid that the U.S. provides does more harm than good. But the underlying goal, to make the U.S. and the world more secure, is worth pursuing. What alternatives can we offer to advance this goal?

U.S. security assistance, as it is currently conceived, does not work and is doing more harm than good. But often when confronted with the terrible reality of violent extremism, the desire of our political leaders to do “something” means that security assistance is the tool they reach for.

From the outside, an outbreak of violence can seem spontaneous. But even when a community seems relatively peaceful, the seeds of violence can be growing. Where there is poverty, oppression, corruption, or scarcity of resources, the potential for violence is there as well.

The “Doctrine of Discovery,” enunciated by popes, kings, and governors, represents a belief that Native people, those who lived on the land for generations, had no claim to it once it was “discovered” by Christian settlers. The doctrine, with its psychological, spiritual, and physical impacts on both Europeans and native peoples, integrated racism into our very founding as a country and justified violence.

Our advocacy on Native American issues makes connections with Congress, tribal groups, faith community partners, and more.

FCNL’s Native American Advocacy program seeks to remind members of Congress that addressing Native American needs is not just a matter of serving a special interest group but a trust and moral obligation.

The long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict drives violence and fosters unrest far beyond the borders of Israel and Palestine. There are no quick fixes; however, there are steps that can help move towards peace.

This year, violent extremists linked to the Islamic State spied on the home and office of a person involved with storing large quantities of dangerous nuclear material. The motive for the surveillance is unknown, but authorities speculate that the group might want the material to use in an attack.

With a flash of light in 1945, American scientists brought nuclear weapons into the world. The faith of Quakers is grounded in the belief that there is that of God in every person. The awful power of nuclear weapons indiscriminately threatens all people.

This statement of policy embodies our convictions and provides the foundation for our work. It derives from careful discernment by Friends throughout the nation who have identified the fundamental vision that underlies our legislative actions.