Faith, Power, and War: How Religion Is Creeping Into U.S. Military Policy

Left Face Podcast — Pikes Peak Region Politics Through a Progressive Veterans LensThis week on Left Face, Adam and the team unpack a chaotic week in American politics and global conflict. From cabinet shakeups in Washington to a rapidly escalating war with Iran, the conversation dives into the deeper forces shaping today’s political landscape.The episode begins with the firing (or “lateral move”) of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and what it says about the current administration’s governing style—one driven less by consensus and more by execution of a pre-written political agenda.The hosts discuss how organizations like Progressive Veterans of El Paso County allow veterans to speak freely about political issues without the constraints placed on official party structures.From there, the conversation shifts into the broader political climate surrounding Project 2025, authoritarian governing tactics, and how political leaders are increasingly selected for loyalty and aggression rather than competence.The second half of the episode explores the troubling intersection of religion and governance, including reports of religious messaging within military circles and the growing influence of Christian nationalist movements inside the political sphere.Finally, the hosts analyze the rapidly expanding Iran conflict, now drawing in multiple countries and escalating into a regional war. With unclear objectives, mounting casualties, and increasing global instability, the question becomes: What exactly is the U.S. strategy?The episode closes with a moment of reflection honoring American service members who have recently lost their lives in the conflict.