Last week, this newsletter linked to a report on a major demographic shift in American Christianity: in a reversal of longstanding trends, younger men are becoming more religious than women of the same age cohort. Ross Douthat, an astute observer of social and religious phenomena in the U.S., considers two possible interpretations:

The first and more pessimistic interpretation would argue that younger men are becoming more religious in the same spirit that they’re embracing various masculinist influencers, from Joe Rogan to Jordan Peterson, along with toxic figures like Andrew Tate. They’re seeking male-friendly refuges from what they perceive as an increasingly feminized and even misandrist liberal culture.

But the aspects of organized religion that they find attractive, the support for traditional gender roles above all, are simultaneously alienating many young women from the churches of their upbringing. . . . These trends might then feed one another. Imagine masculine-inflected conservative churches getting steadily more patriarchal and also featuring skewed sex ratios that make it impossible for many would-be patriarchs to . . . find a spouse, encouraging increased young male hostility to non-traditionalist women.

But Douthat also considers an alternative, more optimistic set of outcomes, where churches play a much-needed civilizing role for young men who are increasingly finding themselves adrift:

It may be . . . that churches that seem like home to young men are particularly well positioned to do that kind of work—stabilizing and elevating men who are currently adrift and making them more appealing as potential spouses than any currently available force. . . . In this theory, any downside to churches becoming somewhat more masculinist could be more than offset by the upsides of having more young men attached to a mixed-sex, relatively stable, intellectually and spiritually rooted institution.

Small in area and population and rich in natural gas, Qatar plays an outsize role in the Middle East. While its support keeps Hamas in business, it also has vital relations with Israel that are much better than those enjoyed by many other Arab countries. Doha’s relationship with Washington, though more complex, isn’t so different. Yoel Guzansky offers a comprehensive examination of Israel’s Qatar dilemma:

At first glance, Qatar’s foreign policy seems filled with contradictions. Since 1995, it has pursued a strategy of diplomatic hedging—building relationships with multiple, often competing, actors. Qatar’s vast wealth and close ties with the United States have enabled it to maneuver independently on the international stage, maintaining relations with rival factions, including those that are direct adversaries.

Qatar plays an active role in international diplomacy, engaging in conflict mediation in over twenty regions worldwide. While not all of its mediation efforts have been successful, they have helped boost its international prestige, which it considers vital for its survival among larger and more powerful neighbors. Qatar has participated in mediation efforts in Venezuela, Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, reinforcing its image as a neutral broker.

Israel’s stated objective of removing Hamas from power in Gaza is fundamentally at odds with Qatar’s interest in keeping Hamas as the governing force. In theory, if the Israeli hostages would to be released, Israel could break free from its dependence on Qatari mediation. However, it is likely that even after such a development, Qatar will continue positioning itself as a mediator—particularly in enforcing agreements and shaping Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.

Qatar’s position is strengthened further by its good relations with the U.S. Yet, Guzansky notes, it has weaknesses as well that Israel could exploit:

Qatar is highly sensitive to its global image and prides itself on maintaining a neutral diplomatic posture. If Israel chooses to undermine Qatar’s reputation, it could target specific aspects of Qatari activity that are problematic from an Israeli perspective.