New USCIRF Executive Director Named

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom announced on Monday that it has appointed a new executive director. The new top staff person is Jackie Wolcott, ambassador to the United Nations Security Council in the George W. Bush administration. Reporting on the appointment, World Mag suggests that Wolcott may be able to develop a stronger relationship with the State Department where she worked for nine years. The State Department in the past has ignored some of the recommendations of USCIRF as to the nations that should be designated as countries of particular concern because of their religious freedom restrictions.