Christian Nationalism's Rising Grip on the U.S. Military Sparks Global Concerns
Experts are raising concerns over the growing influence of Christian nationalism in the U.S. military and its potential impact on foreign policy. Reports highlight incidents of religious coercion and decisions framed by biblical beliefs, sparking warnings about weakened institutional checks and long-term military reliability.
Over 200 service members have reported cases of religious pressure or superiors linking conflicts, such as tensions with Iran, to biblical prophecies about Armageddon. Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, argues that the U.S. military's culture increasingly favours white, Christian, male, and nationalist personnel for promotions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been cited as a prominent example of openly displayed fundamentalist Christianity within the armed forces.
Since 2016, Christian nationalism has visibly shaped U.S. foreign and security policies under former President Trump. Key decisions included recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocating the U.S. embassy there in 2018—a move framed by supporters like Mike Pompeo in biblical terms. The 2020 Abraham Accords, normalising Israel-Arab relations, gained strong evangelical backing, while the 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the 2020 assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani were justified by some as defending Judeo-Christian civilisation. Though no direct military operations were explicitly driven by religious ideology, the rhetoric often emphasised promoting religious freedom abroad.
Political scientists like Paolo Naso warn of a broader 'theocratic regression' if Christian nationalism continues to shape U.S. foreign policy. Luca Ozzano, an associate professor of political science, highlights the risks of combining radical religion, political leadership, and a vision that undermines institutional safeguards.
Weinstein's concerns extend to NATO allies, suggesting they may no longer view the U.S. as a dependable military partner free from political and religious bias. The convergence of faith and policy, coupled with reports of coercion within the military, raises questions about the long-term stability of U.S. defence institutions and their global commitments.
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