The fictional universe of Frank Herbert’s novel series, set in the distant future, can evoke any historical period. In Dune, the intricate interaction of diverse subjects, including politics, religion, ecology and power, demonstrates that this universe is as politically and culturally complex as ours. In this universe, the potential influence of religion on politics, society and individual life is examined through the emergence and evolution of a prominent leadership figure. Despite the focus on religion, Herbert illustrates how belief systems, in general, can be employed as a tool to influence societal motivation and indirectly impact leaders’ strategic decisions.
Download the Discussion Paper
MORE FROM CURRENT CATEGORY
After Khamenei: Succession or Succession Crisis?
The joint US-Israeli strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has removed a key pillar upon which the Islamic Republic's political and ideological edifice rested....
Weaponising ‘Freedom’: Regime Change Narratives in the 2026 Iran War
Iran War enters a dangerous new phase as US–Israel strikes follow failed nuclear talks, raising risks of regional escalation and energy shock.
From Reshuffle to Strategy: Ukraine’s Recalibration in a Prolonged War
As Ukraine enters its fifth year of full-scale war, the administration in Kyiv has undertaken its most consequential executive restructuring since February 2022. While...
