Global Scans · Religion · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Huge growth is expected over the next several decades as the world's Muslim population grows faster than every other major religious demographic, and as urbanization and rising incomes in developing countries with large Muslim populations mean more will be buying, rather than producing their own food.

• [New] Some of us guess that religion itself will get more involved in AI in 2026: either by issuing ecclesiastical guidance around AI interaction or morality; or sanctioning AI that empowers worshippers in some way. Euclid Insights
• [New] Russia's planned false flag operation weaponizes Western drone debris and religious symbolism to manufacture civilian casualties that could derail US-mediated peace negotiations while justifying escalatory strikes on Ukrainian government targets. Drone Warfare
• [New] The recent strikes by the US in the northwest section of Nigeria could further inflame religious tensions in a country long divided along identity lines and potentially aid in insurgent recruitment. PRS Group
• [New] Al-Qaeda's Sahelian-affiliate Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, which has effectively conducted an insurgency while building shadow governance structures, will likely continue to expand with only minimal state resistance. The Soufan Center
• [New] In parallel, non-state armed groups driven by religious, ethnic, and hard-line ideologies will threaten both governments and social harmony in various countries around the world. RSIS_NTU
• [New] Online threats against data centers rooted in political, religious, environmental, and economic reasons have surged. The Soufan Center
• [New] There will always be the people in a state like Wisconsin, where Milwaukee and Madison prevent the rural White Christian voters from turning it into an overwhelmingly conservative or Christian Nationalist place without any resistance. illiberalism.org
• On the diplomatic front, a growing number of states have expressed concern over the threat to the Armenian presence in the Old City, a presence that is not merely historical, but essential to Jerusalem's religious and cultural balance. Horizon
• The centuries-old Armenian community, one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world, is now confronting an existential threat. Horizon
• The Vatican may be preparing for a potential encounter with extraterrestrial beings, with the Pope possibly becoming the first religious leader to address humanity's first contact with aliens within 2027. Irish Star
• By end of 2026, a major world religion (> 200M adherents) will have issued an official doctrinal statement on whether AI can have a soul, moral status, or spiritual significance. Retaining Agency
• Rebuilt around undisciplined militias, many of which are motivated by sectarian vengeance rather than national reconciliation, the new military apparatus represents a clear threat to Syria's ethnic and religious landscape. Counter Extremism Project
• The threat of violence from domestic extremists could intensify if Iran's leadership issues a religious decree urging attacks on U.S. soil. Industrial Cyber
• ISIL could destabilise Syria by targeting state security forces, religious minorities - like it did in the Damascus church attack in June - or any foreigner on Syrian soil, from US soldiers to humanitarian or United Nations workers. Al Jazeera
• In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has threatened Nigeria with the possibility of a US military intervention if the government in Abuja fails to guarantee adequate protection for its Christian population. Med-Or
• Appeals court could decide Colorado's Catholic preschool caseA federal appeals court could decide in 2025 whether religious schools in Colorado's state-funded preschool program have to abide by non-discrimination rules protecting LGBTQ children and families. Nine Colorado education stories to watch in 2025
• At the federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is expected to increase its focus on religious discrimination and accommodation. / USA DLA Piper
• New rules governing religious accommodations for facial hair and new military fitness programs for some Airmen are coming - but probably not until 2026. Air & Space Forces Magazine

Last updated: 12 January 2026