Religion has historically influenced political landscapes, but in contemporary international politics, it is often manipulated for strategic gains. Governments, political leaders, and extremist groups exploit religious sentiments to consolidate power, justify policies, and rally support for geopolitical objectives. This is evident in various global conflicts and political strategies.
In the Middle East, the Sunni-Shia divide has been instrumentalized by states like Saudi Arabia and Iran to justify their regional rivalries, as seen in the Yemen conflict. In the United States, Evangelical Christian influence has shaped foreign policy, particularly in support of Israel. The Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was driven in part by Evangelical lobbying. In India, the ruling BJP leverages Hindu nationalism to consolidate electoral power, marginalizing minorities through policies like the revocation of Kashmir’s special status. Russia has aligned closely with the Orthodox Church to promote nationalism, using religious narratives to justify actions in Ukraine.
The consequences of religious manipulation include sectarian violence, weakened democratic institutions, human rights abuses, and geopolitical instability. While religion can unite societies, its political exploitation deepens divisions, fostering conflict rather than peace.