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] The recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel - which ended after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites-sparked hopes and fears of regime change in the Islamic Republic. Strategic Culture Foundation
• [New] A parliamentary report in the UK is set to warn that Iran remains one of the gravest state-based threats to British security, while a separate investigation in Italy has uncovered a vast influence network supporting the Islamic Republic. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Islamic finance, rooted in Shariah principles that prohibit interest and emphasize risk-sharing, has evolved into a global financial system with US$ 5.5 trillion in assets by the end of 2024, projected to reach US$ 7.5 trillion by 2028. ASEAN Business News
• [New] The Islamic Republic is a problem for the UK, not just America and Israel The Iranian terror threat to the UK is clear, it is present and it is active. CapX
• Dalai Lama Turns 90 and Announces Succession Plans: The Dalai Lama's declaration that his successor will be born outside China directly challenges Beijing's longstanding efforts to control Tibetan Buddhism and, by extension, Tibetan society. Geopolitical's Substack
• The natural alignment between Islamic finance principles and ESG objectives creates opportunities for Singapore to lead in sustainable Islamic finance innovation. Maxthon | Privacy Private Browser
• The natural alignment between Islamic finance principles and ESG considerations creates opportunities for Singapore to develop expertise in sustainable Islamic finance, particularly for energy transition projects across Asia. Maxthon | Privacy Private Browser
• Israel And Iran In Bible Prophecy: A New Phase In The Middle East Conflict And What Scripture Says Is Coming Scripture also predicts that in the last days, a great coalition from the north - including Persia (modern-day Iran) - will rise up against Israel. Rapture Ready
• The recent war between Israel and Iran, though short of regime change, is expected to catalyze major transformations in Iran's Islamic Republic. The Cipher Brief
• Iran reportedly sent Trump the threat at the G7 summit earlier this month and warned that the Islamic Republic could activate sleeper cells from within the US. Counter Extremism Project
• Iran cannot triumph in that struggle, and defeat could spell the end of the Islamic Republic, at least in its current form. Financial Times
• Like Afghanistan, the militias that will come from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will have the Taliban's advantage of home action, guaranteeing a long war. Acled
• Senior Iranian regime officials accused Israel of committing crimes for violating the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic and threatened that the Zionist regime would pay a heavy price. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
• Fears about Iran's nuclear program among Western and Arab nations have grown in recent years because the Islamic Republic has enriched uranium far beyond the levels needed for civilian purposes such as fueling nuclear power plants. Fortune
• Israel now sees an opportunity to press its advantage, to expand the Gaza war east into a broader regional campaign that would deal a decisive blow to Iran, put an end to its Axis once and for all, and even force the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Financial Times
• After high-profile strikes involving exploding pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah operatives in the Islamic Republic, Israel recently took aim at Iran's nuclear programme - the greatest existential threat the Jewish state faces. CapX
• Iran has arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying as fears grow in the Islamic Republic over the extent of its infiltration by Israel's Mossad intelligence service. News-Press NOW
• Israel could hit military bases or strongholds of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and may focus on disarming Iran's air force to curtail its ability to strike Israel again. The i Paper
• Israel's targeting of the educational, cultural and religious life of the Palestinian people will harm the present generations and generations to come, hindering their right to self-determination. The Independent
• Russia has no interest in a U.S. or Israeli strike on Iran, which could destabilize or even collapse the Islamic Republic. Meduza
• Reluctant to join the new Syrian forces, foreign fighters might create independent groups, defy central authority, or work with other extremist organizations such as the Islamic State. SpecialEurasia

Last updated: 14 July 2025