Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Rumors of War

Germany acknowledges cyberattacks on defense, foreign ministries - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The German Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the country's defense and foreign ministry databases were hacked, with information stolen. The statement followed news from the German Press Agency, citing anonymous sources, that a Russian hacking group called APT28 successfully retrieved data from the German federal data network. The cyberattack was first noticed by security officials in December and may have been in place for a year. It is unclear how much government data was stolen."

Comment: The time is coming when two things will happen that will change the game. First, a significant loss of life due to cyberattacks. Second, a growing frustration in the defense community over the inadequacy of any potential counter-attack, leading to the use of traditional armed forces for that purpose. This is inevitable because great powers have internalized the notion that cyberattacks are part of the normal background noise of international relations and that given the complexity of these kinds of activities, one can never really be sure who initiated the attack therefore restraint is warranted. This kind of attitude will persists until an event of such magnitude occurs that governments are required to act to restore public trust, thereby defaulting to more traditional methods and striking out at the usual suspects. I think we are approaching the time when cyberwar quickly becomes actual war.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Rumors of War

U.N. report: North Korea sending Syria chemical weapons supplies - UPI.com
UPI reports: "North Korea has been shipping supplies that can be used to make chemical weapons to the Syrian government, a report by the United Nations indicates. North Korea sent acid-resistant tiles, valves and thermometers to Syria, a U.N. Security Council diplomat, citing the unreleased report, told CNN. The details come after multiple accusations that Syria has conducted chemical weapons attacks on civilians including those in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta, despite denials by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime."

Comment: It's sad how the international prohibition against using chemical weapons has completely collapsed.  Ultimately history will lay the blame on Russia for not stopping it and indeed, allowing it to happen on their watch.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Earthquakes

3 dead after 7.5-magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea early Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said -- killing at least three people. The earthquake occurred at a depth of nearly 21 miles, the USGS said. Initial reports estimated the earthquake's magnitude at 8.0, but the figure was later downgraded. It occurred in Papua New Guinea's Kom-Magarima district on the island the nation shares with Indonesia, north of Australia. Another earthquake, with a 5.5 magnitude was recorded about 30 minutes after the first."

Comment: It's amazing to think they initially thought this was an 8.0 quake, which would have ranked it among the most powerful in history.

Persecution

Christian Blasphemy Suspect in Pakistan Jumps from Building - VOA
VOA News reports: "Authorities in Pakistan are investigating reports that a Christian blasphemy suspect jumped from a four-story building and suffered serious injures. The man claims he jumped to escape torture in custody. [...] Dozens of Pakistani human rights groups and activists strongly condemned the incident in a joint statement Monday. They raised serious concerns over persistent misuse of Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws, specifically against Christian and other religious minorities. [...] Insulting Islam and its Prophet Mohammad are extremely sensitive issues in Pakistan and can carry the death penalty, although no one has been executed under the blasphemy laws. Right groups say the laws are often misused or exploited to settle personal disputes."

Comment: Wow, that's terrible. Please join me in praying for persecuted Christians in Pakistan. 

Covenant With Many

EU, Arab League Affirm Jerusalem Must Be Joint Capital - VOA
VOA News reports: "European Union and Arab League countries insist that Jerusalem must be the joint capital of Israel and a future Palestinian state, as the U.S. prepares to move its embassy there in a step angering the Arab world. [...] the two blocs also 'see eye to eye' that there can only be a two-state solution to the conflict, with Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace."

Comment: Despite our news media focusing attention on other topics, there seems to be a lot of movement on the Mideast peace front lately. 

Friday, February 23, 2018

Covenant WIth Many

Nikki Haley says Trump Mideast peace plan is nearly finished - The Washington Post
The Washington Post reports: "The Trump administration is nearly finished drafting its Mideast peace proposal and will release it soon, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Thursday. [...] The administration has not said exactly when it planned to reveal its ideas for negotiations and an eventual settlement, but had been widely expected to do so early this year. Palestinian leaders have said the Jerusalem decision means the United States can no longer be an honest broker."

Comment: It will be interesting to see what they come up with. On the one hand, Team Trump has polarized the region and forging a consensus among the parties would appear to be almost impossible at this point.  On the other hand, the Palestinians are largely without support or great power sponsors that would give them the leverage they think they have. Taking a deal, almost any deal, would ensure the survival of Fatah (the political wing of the Palestinians) and provide a fountain of international funding for them. The armed wing of the Palestinians (Hamas) will not go along with the deal, but it's clear that they won't support ANY deal, so really what does it matter if they don't want a seat at the table? An interim deal that sets a realistic road-map to final status issues is in the interest of both Israel and the Palestinians, if only to diffuse tensions as they play for time. Let's face it, both parties are really good at playing for time. All the major powers in the region would rather worry about Syria and Iran, so a small peace deal that back-burners the big issues would be a strategic move in the interest of all. I would not be at all surprised to find that Team Trump can secure a victory here.

Pestilence

Up to 600 Michigan residents may have been exposed to tuberculosis - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Michigan's health department said it's investigating three facilities and warning residents they may have been exposed to tuberculosis through a clinic worker. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services did not identify the worker, but said they may have come in contact with as many as 600 people between last May and the end of January. [...] Tuberculosis is a potentially serious condition that can be spread to others through the air. The bacteria usually grows in the lungs but can attack any part of the body."

Comment: That sounds like a situation that could easily get out of control. 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Roaring Waves

Expect seas to rise for the next 300 years, new climate models warn - UPI.com
UPI reports "Even if carbon emissions are curbed and rising temperatures are constrained, many scientists expect sea level rise to continue for some time. New research suggests sea level rise could last 300 years. For some time, climate scientists have argued that some of global warming's impacts have already been baked into the planet's systems. Even if global temperatures stopped rising tomorrow, researchers contend, Earth's ice sheets have already been destabilized, leading to continued melting and sea level rise."

Comment: Go ahead and keep thinking climate change is a myth, just maybe move inland and away from the coast.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Gospel Preached to All Nations

Billy Graham, world renowned evangelist, dead at 99 - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Rev. Billy Graham, a well-known evangelist for decades and often referred to as 'America's pastor,' died Wednesday morning at the age of 99. [...] Following World War II, Graham preached throughout the United States and Europe and was thrust to international fame during the Los Angeles Crusade in 1949, one of his earliest evangelism drives. Perhaps most famous for his evangelic missions or 'crusades,' Graham subsequently traveled across the world -- from Ethiopia to Russia, and New Zealand to China."

Comment: I've been reading news reports about Billy Graham and they are amazing. He is described as someone who transformed American religious life with his preaching and his activism and is called the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history. That is pretty amazing. I'm reminded of Matthew 24:14 about the gospel being preached to all nations. One report said that he preached in over 180 nations. Wow.  I wonder if in every generation God anoints one preacher to the great preacher to the world? For many people of the post-WWII era, that preacher was Billy Graham.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Covenant With Many

Palestinian leader calls for peace conference by mid-2018 - AP
The AP reports: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ruled out the United States as a broker for peace with Israel on Tuesday, calling for an international peace conference by mid-2018 with the key goals of full U.N. membership for the state of Palestine and a timeframe for a two-state solution. [...] Abbas presented the Palestinians 'peace plan' to the council. It calls for mutual recognition by the states of Israel and Palestine based on 1967 borders, and formation of 'an international multilateral mechanism' to assist the two parties in resolving all final status issues and implementing them 'within a set time frame.'  He said the peace conference should include the Israelis and Palestinians, the five permanent Security Council members and key regional and international governments, noting that 74 countries attended a Mideast peace conference in Paris in January 2017."

Comment: Strange that the Palestinians think they are in a position to dictate terms. It is noteworthy thought that they have stipulated a peace agreement among many nations and that it be implemented over a set time period. 

War

Islamic State kills 27 Iraqi security personnel in Kirkuk - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Islamic State militants ambushed a convoy and killed at least 27 Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces fighters in Iraq, the militia said. The PMF said IS set up a fake checkpoint by disguising themselves as police officers and using poor weather conditions to carry out the ambush in Kirkuk province Sunday. [...] Iraqi forces including the PMF launched a military offensive to establish control of a mountainous area near Kirkuk to transport oil from Iraq to Iran."

Comment: Ok, so the Islamic State is still winning battles but not the war. Of more interest to me is the last line near the end of the report. Remember when everyone mocked President Trump for talking about his desire to "take the oil" and get something for the investment of American blood and treasure? Well, it looks like Iran has decided to follow that strategy. Iran is taking Iraq's oil. Where are the haters and the mockers now? I think it would be one of the greatest military failures in history if the United States allows Iran to control Iraq after this interminable war ends. What was the point of it all?

Monday, February 19, 2018

Rumors of War - Persia

Israeli PM Netanyahu to Iran: Don't test Israel's resolve
The AP reports: "The nuclear deal with Iran has emboldened Tehran to become increasingly aggressive in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, warning that Iran should 'not test Israel’s resolve' as he showed off what he said was part of a downed Iranian drone. [...] Iranian troops, along with Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed Shiite forces, have aided Syrian President Bashar Assad in his war against rebel groups. Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that he will not accept a permanent Iranian military presence in postwar Syria, fearing that Iran and its Shiite allies would turn their attention to Israel."

Comment: I think it unlikely that Iran will willingly withdraw from Syria, therefore I think it likely that a larger conflict is brewing. 

Persecution

Islamic State claims responsibility for Russia church shooting - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility Monday for an attack that killed five at a church in the Dagestan region of Russia. Authorities said the gunman was Khalil Khalilov and that he was a member of an IS sleeper cell. Five people were killed in the shooting Sunday as worshipers left a traditional pre-Lent celebration in the city of Kizlyar, capital of the Republic of Dagestan."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the church in the Dagestan region of Russia.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Rumors of War

Justice Dept. charges 13 Russians, 3 groups with interfering in 2016 election - UPI.com UPI reports: "The defendants, posing as persons located inside the United States, created false personas and operated social media pages and groups designed to attract American audiences, the indictment says. The defendants also allegedly stole identities of U.S. citizens to post on organization-controlled social media accounts. Rosenstein said defendants conducted 'information warfare' against the United States to spread distrust toward the candidates and the U.S. political system in general."

Comment: For the Millennial generation the Cold War is history but for those who experienced that period of time it shapes their thinking and their world view. I think this may be one reason this story resonates strongly with some and almost not at all with others. It's important to note that the leader of Russia is a Cold Warrior for whom the war is not over.  In this context we can view the Russian interference in the election as an aggressive action suggesting a deeper animosity toward the U.S. that no amount of wishful thinking can ignore.

Earthquakes

7.2-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico, capital - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck Mexico's southeastern Oaxaca state Friday, prompting evacuations north of there in Mexico city. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter of the quake was located 34 miles northeast of Pinotepa Nacional and 215 miles south-southeast of Mexico City at a depth of 2.4 miles below of the surface. Officials in the capital issued an earthquake alert for the city, building prompting evacuations. Mexico's civil protection service said there were no immediate reports of damage."

Comment: I think Mexico was lucky this time. A 7.2 magnitude quake is a large one and in a major metropolitan area like Mexico City the potential damage is considerable.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Pestilence

CDC: Flu vaccine just 25 percent effective against leading strain - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Flu continues to ravage the United States in one of the worst flu seasons in recent years. And the ineffectiveness of this year's flu vaccine is partly to blame. According to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine is only 25 percent effective against H3N2 influenza, which is causing most flu cases this year."

Comment: What an odd system this is. I'm not blaming the science, after all, they have to make vaccine even as the flu is spreading, so time is a factor. It's just strange when you look into it because you find that there are several strains hitting at once and the vaccine they develop is based on the strain that hit other countries before the U.S. flu season, so there is variation and mutation by the time peak flu season arrives.  Does knowing this deter me from getting a flu shot? No, I still got one...and so should you. Some protection is better than none.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Wickedness Increases

Parkland, Fla., high school shooting: 17 dead, 1 arrested - UPI.com:
UPI reports: "A 19-year-old who had been expelled for discipline problems walked into his former high school in a Florida suburb Wednesday and fatally shot 17 people, investigators said. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said 12 people died inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, two others just outside the building, one on a nearby road and two at the hospital just before the dismissal bell."

Comment: So sad and tragic. It's almost as if they are no longer teaching kids that murder is wrong.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Roaring Waves

Sea level rise is accelerating, new research shows - UPI.com
UPI reports: "New research shows sea level rise isn't constant but accelerating. According to the new calculation, sea levels will rise an average of 26 inches by the end of the century. [...] Scientists used satellite images to measure rates of sea level rise over the last two-and-a-half decades. The numbers suggest seas are rising faster over time. [...] Scientists suggest the acceleration of sea level rise is the result of the ongoing destabilization of Earth's ice sheets."

Comment: Ok, well let's see if we experience more coastal flooding as a result of this sea level rise.  That would be expected, right?

Monday, February 12, 2018

Rumors of War - Persia

Mattis: Israel has 'right to defend itself' against Iran - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israel authorities are warning that Iran plans to establish a foothold on Israeli's northern border in anticipation of an attack on the Jewish state. The Israeli government said Iran could use Syrian territory to plan attacks or use its foothold in Lebanon to transfer weapons more easily to the Lebanese Hezbollah -- an Iranian-backed militia group. 'If Iran continues to threaten and carry out offensive operations against Israel from Syria, Israel will teach Iran a lesson it will never forget,' Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said."

Comment: The presence of Iranian troops just one border away from Israel is one of the most important developments in recent history.

Covenant With Many

Tillerson in Egypt: U.S. committed to Middle East peace process - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, meeting with Egypt's foreign minister Monday in Cairo, said the United States remains committed to the peace process in the Middle East amid its controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Tillerson began a five-nation visit to the region Monday -- with stops later in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Kuwait. A visit to Israel is not planned."

Comment: Well, that's good to know. Strange thing about the peace process, it's been going on for decades. I suspect that it's possible that it will continue to go on for decades more. 

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Pestilence

A century after 1918 flu pandemic, experts say it could happen again - UPI.com
UPI reports: "One hundred years ago, the deadliest influenza pandemic of all time made a ravaging march across the globe. The 'Spanish' flu of 1918-19 infected an estimated one-third of the world's population and killed between 50 million and 100 million people, modern epidemiologists estimate. That raises the inevitable question as the United States battles its way through another severe flu season -- could a pandemic as devastating in scope occur in the future? It's '100 percent' certain that another global flu crisis will happen, said Dr. Greg Poland, a virologist and vaccine researcher with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn."

Comment: Much of this news report is encouraging. It informs us that medical science has advanced greatly since the Spanish Flu of 1918 and that doctors will be able to handle a modern pandemic. I don't doubt that. What I doubt is what happens outside medical circles. Human psychology being what it is, the doctors could have it well in hand but people could still panic, markets crash and social institutions collapse. If another pandemic is inevitable, then planning needs to happen not just in the medical community but across all sectors of society.

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Earthquakes

Deadly magnitude-6.4 earthquake hits Taiwan - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck Taiwan's northeastern coast Tuesday, causing buildings to collapse and bury people beneath debris. Prime Minister William Lai said at least two people died and more than 100 others sustained injuries in the temblor. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake was located northeast of Hualien County at a depth of 6.2 miles and the Central Weather Bureau reported three aftershocks."

Comment: I could be wrong, but my my count, that's three quakes in the last week for the region.  Hopefully all that seismic stress has been released or they were merely temblors leading up to the big one?

Monday, February 05, 2018

Covenant With Many

Erdogan becomes first Turkish leader to visit Vatican in 59 years - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Before his departure from Turkey, Erdogan said he and Vatican leaders would discuss Palestine, Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq, counterterrorism, refugee issues and humanitarian aid. The Turkish leader added that he and the pope agree the United States' recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December was a mistake. The pope was a prominent critic of President Donald Trump's decision."

Comment: It's a sad day when the leader of Christendom makes common cause with the erstwhile leader of a new Ottoman Empire. What is their common cause? They are united against Israel, Jerusalem and Trump. Sad.