The U.S. response has escalated recently because of a combination of (a) renewed political pressure from U.S. lawmakers, advocacy groups and media highlighting attacks on Christian communities, (b) accumulated reporting by commissions and NGOs documenting worsening religious-freedom conditions, and (c) a policy choice by the current U.S. administration to use tools under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) now (e.g., CPC designation, threats of visa restrictions or sanctions). The CPC designation itself is a legal/policy tool that can be (re)applied when the U.S. determines “severe violations” have occurred; political timing and domestic U.S. politics help explain why it was used now. This is, however, not the first time that the U.S. is taking action on this matter.