Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Signs in the Moon

NASA telescopes relay live feed of rare super blue blood moon - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The last day of January began with the appearance of a rare phenomenon -- a super blue blood moon. NASA broadcast video from across the United States of the rare moon this morning, with the lunar eclipse ending around 9:21 a.m. ET. The moon's three modifiers -- super, blue, blood -- refer to a rare trifecta of phenomena, making it the third in a series of 'super moons.'"

Comment: Thank you NASA for sparing me having to get up at 4 AM to see the whole show. 

Monday, January 29, 2018

Rumors of War - Persia

Israel PM visits Russia for talks on Iran's actions in Syria - AP
AP reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia on Monday for talks focused on Syria, warning that Israel will not accept Iran’s growing military presence there and in neighboring Lebanon. Before departure for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Netanyahu said that Iran is trying to turn Lebanon into 'one giant missile site, a site for precision missiles against the state of Israel, which we will not tolerate.' The Israeli leader also pointed at what he described as 'Iran’s relentless efforts to establish a military presence in Syria, which we strongly oppose and are also taking action against.'"

Comment: I know that when talking about potential conflict flashpoints most people think of North Korea as being #1. A close second would have to be what is happening in Syria. A war between Israel and Iran would ignite the entire Middle East in a regional conflagration would have global repercussions.  In the above report we can see that Israel is taking steps to signal to all involved that the permanent presence of Iranian troops in Syria and Lebanon will not be tolerated. In the chessboard of the Great Game it's not a stretch to say that Lebanon has already fallen to Iran and in Syria, Iranian militias show no signs of retreating now that Assad's victory is all but certain. Iran's presence within the borders of Israel's immediate neighbors looks to be permanent unless someone forces them out. Israel seems to be hoping that Russia will do that while showing a determination to go it alone if they have to. Although Putin offered smiles during this meeting with Netanyahu, let's note that he said nothing to indicate that he would show his Iranian allies the door in Syria. It's looking increasingly likely that Israel and Iran will soon face a shooting war in Syria and Lebanon. Stay tuned.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Signs in the Moon

How to see the 'super blue blood moon' - UPI.com
UPI reports: "January is set to close with a unique full moon -- a 'super blue blood moon.' The special pre-dawn full moon will rise on Jan. 31. The full moon is the third of three super moons, the name given to full moons occurring during the moon's perigee, its closest approach to Earth. The moon will appear 14 percent larger than the average full moon. It's also a blue moon, as it's the second full moon to appear this month -- a rarity, hints the phrase 'once in a blue moon.' While everyone has a chance to see the super blue moon, only those in the Western United States, Alaska and Hawaii will see the super blue blood moon."

Comment: Happy viewing, hope you have clear skies! 

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Covenant With Many

Trump administration settles on facility for Jerusalem embassy, plans to move as early as next year - CNNPolitics
CNN reports: "Rather than design and build a new embassy compound, which officials say could take several years and cost as much as a billion dollars, the State Department has decided to retrofit an existing US consular facility in the West Jerusalem neighborhood of Arnona, which sits near the Green Line, the de facto border of Israel before the 1967 war.
The scaled-down plan for the embassy will cut costs and allow Ambassador David Friedman and his staff to move there as early as next year after some security enhancements are made. [...] Trump's recognition last month of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and plans to relocate the embassy there inflamed tensions in the region and sparked outrage across the world. Both Israelis and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their historic capitals."

Comment: A few posts ago I suggested that given the grand plans for a a new embassy that it was likely the current embassy would not be moved for many years, if ever. I stand corrected. An existing consular office will be renovated to become the new embassy next year. Very interesting development.

Friday, January 19, 2018

Rumors of War

Pentagon says military lead over Russia, China ‘eroding’ - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A new defense strategy released by the Pentagon on Friday takes aim at Russia and China, directing the U.S. military to turn its attention to those nations instead of focusing primarily on Islamist militants and 'rogue' countries. [...] The document is classified, but an 11-page summary is available that outlines areas of focus for the U.S. going forward, which includes strengthening military alliances from the Middle East to Asia and building a larger, more agile military."

Comment: This is good news. I'm glad to hear that the U.S. is back in the business of strengthening alliances. I was starting to worry. It should be policy to support allies and worry our enemies and not the other way around. 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

India test-fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile - UPI.com
UPI reports: "From an island off the Odisha coast Thursday morning, India test-fired its Agni-V, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that could reach the northern-most parts of China. The test was a success according to India's Minister of Defense Nirmala Sitharaman, who said the range for the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Agni-V is 5,000 kilometers, or about 3,100 miles. [...] After the missile is inducted, India will join the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain as the countries with missiles boasting a range more than 3,100 miles."

Comment: It appears that the nuclear arms race in Asia is doing quite well. How will China respond to having their northern cities under threat from Indian nuclear missiles? 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Rumors of War - King of the North

Russia could gain military dominance over NATO, commander says - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Growing modernization could give the Russian military dominance over NATO if the military bloc fails to adapt, the top commander said Wednesday. [...] 'A resurgence of Russia as a strategic competitor, growing unrest and instability in Africa and the Middle East, as well as terrorism, [are] reshaping our strategic environment,' he said. The relationship between Russia and much of the West, including NATO, has been strained since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine."

Comment: Odd that in the context of Russia, the commander did not address the issue of a NATO member (Turkey) likely leaving the alliance to join with Russia. This is something that we all see on the horizon, but could it be that the planners in Brussels are not planning for that eventuality? 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Covenant With Many

Analysis: With a vent at Trump, Abbas exits 'peace process' - AP
The AP reports on the PA: "There seems to be no going back for Mahmoud Abbas after the Palestinian leader cursed and ridiculed President Donald Trump and his aides in a pugnacious speech — a very public break with the 82-year-old’s long-standing efforts to cultivate Washington’s goodwill as the sole pathway to Palestinian statehood. Abbas’ pivot from quiet diplomacy to loudly challenging the U.S. and Israel brings him in line with his aggrieved public and quashes any last expectations of a U.S.-brokered peace deal, but could also unleash forces that might eventually bring down his self-rule government."

Comment: The sad reality is that no Palestinian leader of the "moderate wing" was ever in a position to accept a peace deal that the "armed wing" of the Palestinians would accept. The guys with guns always had a veto. So, really, this is all bluster, as there was never a peace deal to be had. 

Rumors of War

The case for using military force against North Korea - UPI.com
UPI reports: "As American and Canadian officials meet this week to discuss North Korea, it's worth a reminder that military options must be on the table if diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the country fail. [...] Soon, North Korea will be able to threaten or fight a war with nuclear weapons. Will we be able to live with them just as we do with Russia, China and other nuclear-armed states?"

Comment: Have you been looking for an op-ed on why we should confront North Korea militarily?  I've seen very few of them, mostly because the military option entails such an enormous loss of life as to be untenable. Still, there are a few souls (brave or deluded, you be the judge) who advocate for the military option. The writer of the above opinion piece is one such person. I'm not supporting this view, merely bringing it to your attention.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Covenant With Many

Palestinian Central Council votes to end recognition of Israel - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Palestinian Central Council has voted to end Palestine's recognition of Israel until Israel recognizes the Palestinian state. The central council also voted to cease security cooperation with Israel. Members of the Palestine Liberation Organization's policy body met in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday to discuss how to respond to actions taken by Israel and the United States. PLO leaders are upset with President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's official capital."

Abbas says Israel 'killed' Oslo Accords - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday blamed Israel for ruining the ongoing Oslo Accords and said President Donald Trump's handling of the peace talks was a "slap in the face" to Palestinians. [...] Abbas went on to say that any future negotiations would require an international committee in the framework of an international conference to minimize U.S. influence."

Comment: Interesting developments. The stage is now set for a regional security agreement that mirrors the international framework used in the Iran nuclear deal.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Persecution

Chinese authorities demolish well-known evangelical church - AP
The AP reports: "Authorities in northern China’s coal country have demolished a well-known Christian mega-church, underscoring long-standing tensions between religious groups and the officially atheistic Communist Party. [...] The church, with a congregation of more than 50,000, has long clashed with the government. Hundreds of police and hired thugs smashed the church and seized Bibles in an earlier crackdown in 2009 that ended with church leaders receiving long prison sentences. [...] There are an estimated 60 million Christians in China, many of whom worship in independent congregations like the Golden Lampstand. Millions of Christians, Buddhists and Muslims also worship in state-sanctioned assemblies."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in China, that they will persevere in steadfast faith and demonstrate Christian values expressed in obedience to the civil authority (Romans 13:1-7) and living in peace and harmony with their neighbors (Romans 12:18).

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Fearsome Events

Hawaiians jarred by false alarm of ballistic missile threat - UPI.com:
UPI reports: "A false alarm shook Hawaiians early local time Saturday as alerts mistakenly warned islanders of a ballistic missile threat. Shortly after 8 a.m. Hawaii residents began posting screenshots of alerts they had received on their phones that said 'BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.' A tweet by State Rep. Tulsi Gabbard confirmed the false alarm, saying it was sent out inadvertently and that she checked with state officials. Hawaii Gov. David Ige told CNN that the mistake was caused by someone pushing 'the wrong button.'"

Comment: What strange days we are living in. Imagine thousands of people scrambling to secure their families and friends thinking that a nuclear missile attack is imminent.  Imagine what is going through their heads, what that stress is doing to their bodies (talk about adrenaline!) and not to mention all the immediate stress on the institutions of society. What an amazing thing to happen. I'm sure many studies will be done in the aftermath of this false alarm to examine just how the people and institutions of Hawaii coped with this sudden fear if attack.

Covenant with Many

Dozens injured in protests over Donald Trump's Jerusalem move - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Clashes between Palestinians protesting U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and Israeli forces left dozens injured Friday, Palestinian health officials said. [...] In addition to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital in early December, Trump said the United States would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem."

Comment: I'm again amused that they continue to protest when nothing has actually changed on the ground. The embassy has not been moved. Nothing has changed. I know these are not really spontaneous demonstrations (few of them are)  but rather well planned, organized and funded to represent Palestinian "rage" at the U.S. and Israel.

Persecution

Three churches firebombed in Chile days before pope's arrival - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Three churches were hit by firebombs and graffiti in Santiago, Chile, three days before Pope Francis' visit to the South American country, authorities reported. The churches sustained damage, including to the doors and faces, according to report by The Santiago Times. Police also defused two other explosives that didn't detonate at two other churches later in the day, The New York Times reported. No one was injured, and only minor physical damage was reported, authorities said."

Friday, January 12, 2018

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China defends deployment of naval ship to Japan-claimed islands - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China defended the deployment of a naval vessel to the Japan-claimed Senkakus, also known as the Diaoyutai Islands, after Japan issued a warning about the latest move from Beijing's military. Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday China was exercising its territorial rights in its naval deployment. [...] Japan's military could be increasing its defense capabilities against China because of the incursions, the Asahi Shimbun reported Thursday. Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile interceptor system Aegis Ashore, to be deployed in Japan, could be used to intercept Chinese cruise missiles, a statement that may not be well received in Beijing. [...] China retains a large number of cruise missiles and is developing a new missile that can reach speeds of up to Mach 5."

Comment: A bunch of uninhabited islands could spark a war between China and Japan with the U.S. in the middle.

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Covenant With Many

Palestinian leader says U.S. out of peace talks until Jerusalem policy reversed - UPI.com UPI reports: "Saeb Erekat told official Palestinian Authority radio that resuming negotiations with the United States is 'unacceptable' and that Palestinians would reject all peace talks until Trump reverses his stance on Jerusalem. Trump announced on Dec. 6 the United States would move its embassy from Tel Aviv as part of the change, which the president said was in the interest of peace between Israelis and Palestinians."

Comment: It's a bit delusional for the Palestinians to issue demands of the United States. Well, like I mentioned earlier, this entire episode is significant if only because it opens up the peace talks to other mediators. Good luck with that.

Monday, January 08, 2018

Kings of the East

France’s Macron embarks on first China visit - UPI.com
UPI reports: "French President Emmanuel Macron began his first visit to China on Monday, where he hopes to push for lucrative trade deals and strengthen France's ties to Chinese projects like the $900 billion Belt and Road Initiative. Macron, 40, began the trip in the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an. It was a symbolic gesture signaling his support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's plan to link Europe and Asia through new infrastructure, The Guardian reported Monday. Xi'an is located in landlocked western China."

Comment: That Belt and Road Initiative is really interesting, I think I need to study that a bit more. A Silk Road for the 21st Century has important prophetic implications.