Ep. 186 - Faith, Persecution & the Story Behind Faith Under Siege w/Sarah Makin

Why does religion remain at the center of so many global conflicts — and why do policymakers often ignore it?

On this episode of the Federal Newswire Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer is joined by Sarah Makin, religious freedom advocate and producer of Faith Under Siege, to explore the role of faith in global conflict, diplomacy, and human rights.

Drawing on her experience in government and international advocacy, Makin argues that one of the biggest blind spots in U.S. foreign policy is a failure to understand religion as a core driver of identity, motivation, and conflict.

A major theme of the conversation is how authoritarian regimes view faith as a threat — because it represents a source of authority beyond the state.

The discussion covers:
• Why religion plays a central role in global conflicts
• How U.S. diplomacy often misunderstands religious dynamics
• Why authoritarian regimes fear people of faith
• Religious persecution in China (Uyghurs, Christians, others)
• The crisis in Nigeria and the role of extremist ideology
• Why religious persecution is a “canary in the coal mine” for genocide
• Lessons from Iraq and the Yazidi genocide
• The role of faith-based organizations in humanitarian work
• Why smaller NGOs often outperform large aid institutions
• The importance of religious literacy in foreign policy

The conversation also takes a deep look at the war in Ukraine — particularly the often-overlooked issue of religious persecution.

Additional topics include:
• Russia’s use of the Orthodox Church as a political tool
• The myth of Ukrainian religious persecution
• Documented attacks on churches, clergy, and faith communities
• The targeting of evangelical, Catholic, Jewish, and Orthodox groups
• The broader role of faith in Ukrainian society

Makin also discusses her film project, Faith Under Siege, a documentary series highlighting the persecution of religious communities in Ukraine under Russian occupation. The project includes both a full-length film and shorter features focused on specific faith groups and stories.

The episode closes with a broader reflection: ignoring religion in policy discussions doesn’t eliminate its influence — it simply makes decision-makers less equipped to understand the world.

00:00 — Intro + Sarah Makin joins
01:06 — Why religion drives global conflict
03:13 — U.S. foreign policy blind spots on faith
05:42 — Authoritarian regimes vs people of faith
07:19 — Religious persecution in China and beyond
10:01 — Nigeria crisis and extremist ideology
12:40 — “Canary in the coal mine” for genocide
13:58 — Iraq, Yazidis, and humanitarian work
16:08 — Faith-based NGOs vs large aid systems
23:50 — Ukraine: churches, war, and persecution
26:18 — Russia, the Orthodox Church, and propaganda
33:58 — Faith Under Siege documentary
37:49 — Personal interests + closing

Watch Full-Length Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Lunchhour_FNW