Noor Rahm

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has invoked his faith to cast the Iran war

as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes.

Last week, Hexeth prayed for overwhelming violence against those who deserve no mercy.

I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm.

As thousands of U.S.

troops arrive in the Middle East one month into the war with Iran, President Trump is also dealing with mounting problems here at home.

NPR's Maura Liason reports.

Kelly Grieco has been closely following the war in Iran.

She's a senior fellow and military analyst at the Stimson Center.

She was asked what she's watching for as the war enters its second month.

She was interviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition.

Police in Israel turned away the Vatican's top official in Jerusalem from praying in one of Christianity's holiest sites today.

The Latin Patriarch had already canceled public Palm Sunday events in keeping with wartime restrictions, but it was barred from holding smaller private prayers the first time in centuries, according to church leaders.

NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

This is NPR News in Washington.

A fire broke out at a dance club early this morning in southwestern Germany near the French border.

About 750 people ran to escape the flames.

Police say no one was injured.

Finland's defense minister says unmanned aerial vehicles committed a territorial violation early today.