The factor of religion and phenomenon of secularization in international relations

Since the occurence of massive terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon in United States on September 11, 2011, religion has become an important topic in discussions about international relations particularly in Europe and America. With this delayed interest in the West, many academical studies has been done since then. However, the literature about this subject is relatively inadequate in our country. This study argues religion and sec-ularization concepts as a factor in international relations. While the historical roots of the impact of religion on international relations are being displayed, the changes of the impact of religion in time is being remarked as an important factor in international relations despite being argued contrary. The status of religion in International Relations as a discipline has been challenged in different historical processes from past to present. The status of religion in International Relations is being identified as well as the effects of religion to the interna-tional relations are being described under various titles. Keywords: International Affairs, International Politics, Foreign Policy, Religion, Religion-Politics relations, Secularism, Modernity, Globalisation, Identity