CCP187: On the War in Iran

12 snips

Mar 13, 2026

A conversation about the U.S. entry into war with Iran and the immediate military and political fallout. A tour of Iran’s history, identity, and regional influence. Explanations of Sunni–Shia origins, nuclear fears, and why Jerusalem is a flashpoint. A look at just war principles and how conflict reshapes culture, conscience, and religious communities.

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INSIGHT

Iran's Energy Resources Amplify Its Power

Iran's significant hydrocarbon resources make it a geopolitical heavyweight in the Middle East.
White notes Iran is among the world's largest natural gas holders, amplifying its regional leverage and global strategic importance.

ANECDOTE

From Pro-West Shah To Islamic Theocracy

Iran was once a pro-Western, pro-American state under the Shah until the 1979 revolution toppled him.
White recalls the CIA-backed 1953 coup and the 1979 revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini that created the first modern Islamic theocracy.

INSIGHT

How Iraq's Fall Boosted Iran's Reach

The 2003 toppling of Saddam Hussein removed a regional check on Iran, allowing Tehran to extend influence via militias like Hezbollah.
White connects Iraq's weakening to Iran's expanded reach through proxies across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

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In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the war with Iran, which the U.S. entered into on February 28. The attacks resulted in the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and several other officials. And in response, Iran has launched missiles at various targets in Israel and US military bases. Today's conversation hopefully sheds some light on the history of the tension in the Middle East, as well as whether war can ever be just.

Episode Links

At the top of the podcast, Dr. White suggested a helpful resource for understanding more of the world's political order. Written by Richard Haass, you can find The World: A Brief Introduction at The Grounds Bookstore HERE. He also mentioned a past podcast episode that we highly suggest you go back and listen to for more of an understanding of Israel and their engagement with both Palestine and Iran: CCP80: On the War in Israel. This episode will help you understand why Jerusalem is such a flashpoint. There is another past episode that we'd recommend for understanding the differences between Christianity and Islam: CCP86: On Islam.

Alexis mentioned the article written by Russell Moore in Christianity Today titled “What the Iran War Could Do to Your Soul,” which you can find HERE. It really challenges people to think about the why behind their support or opposition to the war. And when it comes to whether the church should engage this current conflict, it would be helpful to go back to our recent episode: CCP185: On Bad Bunny, Monks and Immigration.

For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.