From the Vatican to Strait of Hormuz | Power, Faith, and War Across the Middle East

This week, the line between religion, politics, and power blurred in ways that go beyond headlines.A public clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV.Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.And a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon.These are not isolated events — they are part of a broader pattern.In this Brief, we look beyond the spectacle and examine the strategic choices shaping what comes next.