Navigating Shadows: The Intersection of Theology and Geopolitics in Trump’s Era

Forte di bard, Italy – A pivotal gathering of leading European thinkers is scheduled for August 30th at the historic Forte di bard. the event will mark the Italian debut of the fourth volume of The Great Continent magazine, titled The Shadow Empire: War and earth at the Time of AI, and promises a day of robust intellectual debate.

A Forum for Dialog on Critical Issues

The conference is structured around three high-level panels, designed to foster dialogue between journalism, academic research, and diplomacy on some of the most pressing issues facing the world today. These discussions aim to provide fresh perspectives on complex challenges.

Welcome and Introductions

The event will commence at 4:15 PM with welcome addresses from Ornella Badery, President of the Forte di Bard, and representatives from Regional authorities.

Panel 1: The Trump Effect – United states Between Chaos and Empire

The first panel, beginning at 4:30 PM, will delve into the enduring influence of Donald Trump on American politics and its global ramifications.Scheduled participants include Alessandro Aresu,Philosopher and author of Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence; Oliviero Bergamini,a Foreign Correspondent with Tg1 Rai and author of History of the United States; Giovanni Borgognone,Associate Professor of history at the University of Turin and author of House of Trump; lou Fritel,Journalist at Paris Match; and the panel will be moderated by Maria Tadeo,Europe correspondent for Grand Continent.

Panel 2: The geopolitics of God – The Church of Leone XIV in the World of Cirillo and JD Vance

From 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the second panel will explore the intersection of religion and geopolitics. Key speakers are delphine allaire, Journalist at Radio Vatican – vatican news; Virginie larousse, Deputy chief Editor at Le Monde; Alberto Melloni, UNESCO Chair holder at La Sapienza University of Rome; and Olivier Roy, Professor at the Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies. Matheo Malik, Chief Editor of Grand Continent, will moderate this segment. The conversation will reflect on the increasing role of faith in contemporary political discourse, a trend highlighted in a recent Pew Research Center study showing rising religious identification in the US and Europe.

Panel 3: Can Europe succeed? – The Search for Lost Autonomy

The final panel, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, will focus on the challenges facing Europe in its pursuit of greater autonomy. Participants include Andrea Capussela, Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics; Marc Semo, Journalist with libération, Le Monde, and Challenges; Marc Lazar, Emeritus Professor at Sciences Po; and Alessandra Sardoni, Political journalist with Tgla7. Gilles Gresses, Director of Grand Continent, will serve as the moderator. This panel comes at a critical juncture as the European Union navigates complex geopolitical challenges and seeks to define its role on the world stage, as reported by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Evening Reception and Jazz Performance

Following the final panel discussion, attendees will enjoy a refreshment and a Jazz music concert from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Panel	Time	Focus
Panel 1	4:30 PM – 5:30 PM	The Impact of Trump on US Politics
Panel 2	5:30 PM – 6:30 PM	Religion and Geopolitics
Panel 3	6:30 PM – 7:30 PM	European Autonomy

Did You Know? The Forte di Bard, originally built in the 9th century, has served as a crucial strategic point in the Aosta Valley for centuries, its history echoing the themes of power and autonomy that will be discussed at the conference.

Pro Tip: Understanding the interplay of geopolitics, technology, and cultural forces is essential for navigating the complex challenges of the 21st century. Further research into the work of the featured speakers can provide valuable insights.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Event

What are your thoughts on the increasing influence of AI on global affairs? How can Europe navigate its path to greater autonomy?

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To what extent did the “Seven Mountains Mandate” influence specific foreign policy decisions during the Trump governance?

The Rise of Christian Nationalism & American Foreign Policy

The presidency of Donald Trump marked a distinct shift in the relationship between religious belief, particularly conservative Christianity, and the execution of American foreign policy. This wasn’t simply a matter of personal faith; it represented the ascendance of a specific theological worldview – Christian nationalism – into the halls of power. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for deciphering the geopolitical decisions made during his administration and anticipating potential future trends.

Defining Christian Nationalism: This ideology isn’t merely about personal religious devotion.It’s a belief that the United States was founded as a christian nation and that its laws and policies should reflect Christian values. This often translates into a desire to restore a perceived “traditional” moral order,both domestically and internationally.

Trump’s Appeal to the religious Right: Trump successfully courted the evangelical vote,despite not embodying traditional religious piety.He promised to protect religious freedom, appoint conservative judges, and roll back policies perceived as hostile to Christian values. This strategic alignment proved incredibly effective.

Impact on Foreign Aid & global Health: A tangible consequence of this alignment was a re-evaluation of foreign aid priorities. funding for global health initiatives, particularly those related to reproductive health, faced cuts. The German Lepra and Tuberculosis Aid (DAHW) highlighted concerns that Trump’s policies jeopardized global health efforts, specifically in combating diseases like tuberculosis (as reported by Ärzteblatt in 2017). This demonstrates a shift away from a broadly humanitarian approach to foreign aid towards one potentially prioritizing nations aligned with specific ideological or religious criteria.

Theology as a Framework for Geopolitical Strategy

Trump’s worldview, heavily influenced by advisors steeped in conservative theological thought, shaped his approach to several key geopolitical issues. This wasn’t always explicit, but the underlying theological assumptions were frequently enough discernible.

The Israeli-palestinian Conflict

Biblical Prophecy & Support for Israel: A core tenet of many evangelical Christian beliefs is the importance of the State of Israel, often tied to interpretations of biblical prophecy regarding the “end times.” This theological conviction fueled unwavering support for Israel under Trump, including the controversial relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

Disregard for Palestinian Concerns: This strong pro-Israel stance often came at the expense of acknowledging Palestinian grievances and pursuing a balanced peace process. The theological framework prioritized one narrative over another, influencing diplomatic efforts.

The Peace Plan & Religious Justification: the Trump administration’s peace plan was widely criticized for being heavily biased in favor of Israel. While presented as a pragmatic solution, it arguably reflected a theological predisposition towards supporting Israel’s territorial claims.

The Iran Nuclear Deal

“Apocalyptic” Framing of Iran: Certain theological interpretations portray Iran as a modern-day equivalent of biblical adversaries. This framing contributed to a narrative of Iran as an existential threat, justifying a hardline approach to negotiations.

Withdrawal from the JCPOA: The withdrawal from the Joint Thorough Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the iran nuclear deal, was presented as a matter of national security. However, it also aligned with a theological viewpoint that viewed Iran as inherently untrustworthy and dangerous.

Escalation of Tensions: The subsequent escalation of tensions with Iran, including the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, can be partially understood through this lens of perceived theological conflict.

The Role of Religious Advisors & Think Tanks

The influence of religious advisors and conservative think tanks cannot be overstated. These actors played a crucial role in shaping the administration’s policies and providing the theological justification for its actions.

Key Advisors: Individuals with strong ties to the religious right, such as Paula White-Cain, held meaningful influence within the White House. Their theological perspectives directly informed policy discussions.

Conservative Think Tanks: Organizations like the Family Research Council and the Heritage Foundation actively promoted policies aligned with Christian nationalist principles, providing intellectual ammunition for the administration.

The “Seven Mountains mandate”: The concept of the “seven Mountains Mandate” – the belief that Christians should seek to exert influence over all spheres of society, including government, media, and education – gained traction within these circles and potentially influenced the administration’s agenda.

The Long-Term implications & Future Trends

The intersection of theology and geopolitics during the Trump era has lasting implications for American foreign policy and global affairs.

Increased Polarization: The overt embrace of Christian nationalism further polarized American society and its relationship with the rest of the world.

Erosion of Secularism: The blurring of lines between religious belief and state policy raises concerns about the erosion of secular principles in American governance.

Potential for Future conflicts: The theological framing of geopolitical conflicts could exacerbate existing tensions and create new ones.

The Continued Influence of the Religious Right: Even after leaving office, Trump