The strongest version of this narrative is its framing of religious extremism as a systemic geopolitical risk, intertwined with oil dependence and apocalyptic belief systems. The piece effectively highlights how faith-based ideologies—when weaponized by political actors—can destabilize regions and economies. It credits the role of extremist factions across multiple religions, from U.S. evangelicals to Iran’s theocracy, in shaping policy and public perception. The inclusion of firsthand reports f...