Persecution

9 dead after gunmen attack Egypt church in terror attack - UPI.com
UPI reports: "At least nine people are dead after two gunmen attacked the Mari Mina Church in Egypt's capital on Friday, authorities said. The attack occurred in the Helwan district -- a city on the southern outskirts of Cairo, east of the Nile River. Egyptian authorities are calling the attack a foiled attempt -- as they say the gunmen had explosives that could have made the attack even deadlier. [...] No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State terror group has often targeted coptic orthodox churches in Egypt."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the church in Egypt. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I'm off for my holiday break and wanted to wish you all a happy and joyous Christmas. I know that the news we link to here is often grim but I'm sure that most of you who visit this site are Christians who understand that beyond the headlines we know that God is sovereign and always in control. We know that this effort to be watchful has a purpose and a focus, and that focus is on Jesus Christ.

We watch the signs of His return, but this season is all about the First Coming and not the Second Coming, so as we turn to our families and friends to celebrate the holidays we offer thanks and praise to God and above all, celebrate Jesus as the reason for the season. I'd like to leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite holiday carols. I like this one because the words share the Good News of salvation.  Merry Christmas!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
lyrics by Charles Wesley

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Covenant With Many - Peace of Jerusalem

U.N. overwhelmingly condemns U.S. recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday decisively approved a resolution condemning President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. During an emergency meeting, the full U.N. membership approved the resolution 128-9 that declares Trump's recognition of Jerusalem 'null and void.' Thirty-five nations abstained. [...] Egypt drafted the resolution, which affirms the U.N. decision that calls for Jerusalem's status to be decided through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. It was made in 1967 when Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan. The United Nations doesn't recognize the annexation by Israel. Most nations recognize Tel Aviv as the capital and maintain embassies there, including the United States. Trump wants the embassy to be moved eventually."

Comment: What an extraordinary thing in the history of nations. Today 128 nations took a stand against Israel and against Jerusalem.  They have never read Zechariah 14 and do not realize the depth of their folly. They do not realize that Jerusalem will someday be the capital not just of Israel but of the entire planet.

Signs in the Heavens

Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program - NYT
The New York Times reports: "In the $600 billion annual Defense Department budgets, the $22 million spent on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was almost impossible to find. Which was how the Pentagon wanted it. For years, the program investigated reports of unidentified flying objects, according to Defense Department officials, interviews with program participants and records obtained by The New York Times. [...] the program produced documents that describe sightings of aircraft that seemed to move at very high velocities with no visible signs of propulsion, or that hovered with no apparent means of lift. Officials with the program have also studied videos of encounters between unknown objects and American military aircraft - including one released in August of a whitish oval object, about the size of a commercial plane, chased by two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Nimitz off the coast of San Diego in 2004. [...] Contracts obtained by The Times show a congressional appropriation of just under $22 million beginning in late 2008 through 2011. [...] The funding went to Mr. Bigelow’s company, Bigelow Aerospace, which hired subcontractors and solicited research for the program. Under Mr. Bigelow’s direction, the company modified buildings in Las Vegas for the storage of metal alloys and other materials that Mr. Elizondo and program contractors said had been recovered from unidentified aerial phenomena. Researchers also studied people who said they had experienced physical effects from encounters with the objects and examined them for any physiological changes. In addition, researchers spoke to military service members who had reported sightings of strange aircraft."

Comment:  Nicely done. I mean, if you go with the "Friendly Aliens Here to Help Us" or the "Evil Aliens Attack" spin, either way it still works well as both explanation and delusion. Of course, it would be even better if people were paying attention, but you only have yourselves to blame after years of discrediting UFO sightings. Still, nicely done, love the video.

Covenant With Many

U.N. General Assembly meeting set over U.S. veto of Jerusalem resolution - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The U.N. General Assembly will meet in an emergency session this week after the United States vetoed a resolution to reject the Trump administration's new policy of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. A bloc of Arab nations, Turkey and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation requested the meeting of the entire 193-nation U.N. body. The Palestinian Authority is a non-member observer in the United Nations. On Dec. 6, President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced plans to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv."

Comment: It's an emergency? Really?  This is an extraordinary example of how easily the world can be made to gang-up on Israel. Nothing has changed on the ground in Jerusalem, nothing at all. The only thing that happened was a Trump news conference. The embassy won't actually be moved for years. If Trump is not re-elected then it's possible the embassy will never be moved. So, why all the fuss about calling the city where the Israeli parliament sits, where the president and prime minister's office is, calling that city the capital?

Covenant With Many - Peace of Jerusalem

US vetoes UN resolution against Trump's Jerusalem decision - AP
The AP reports: "The United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other U.N. Security Council members that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel [...] Arab supporters wanted the vote to demonstrate that countries everywhere and even many U.S. allies such as Britain, France and Japan are against Trump’s action. [...] The status of Jerusalem has been a central issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Trump’s announcement was widely perceived as taking the side of Israel. It countered an international consensus that Jerusalem’s status should be decided in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state."

Comment: I find it amazing that an act of political grandstanding can have such far-reaching consequences. They are acting as if Trump did something tangible when all he really did was have a new conference so he could brag to his political base that he kept a campaign promise. That's all that happened. He signed the waiver. The embassy won't move for many years, if ever. But, in the reality distortion field that surrounds Jerusalem, even political PR stunts can take on the appearance of reality and cause mayhem. Seriously, people have died in demonstrations against this. Now they are saying that the U.S. can no longer be the mediator of Mideast peace and Russia is offering to mediate. As I noted before, the most significant result of this action has been to open up the peace-making process to new mediators. That is an incredibly important development.

Persecution

Suicide bombers attack church in Pakistan, killing 9 - AP
The AP reports: "Two suicide bombers struck a church in Pakistan on Sunday, killing nine people and wounding more than 50 others, authorities said, in the first attack on a church claimed by the country’s Islamic State group affiliate. Hundreds of worshippers were attending services ahead of Christmas when the bombers appeared in the city of Quetta and clashed with security forces. One assailant was killed at the church entrance. The other made it inside, said Sarfaraz Bugti, home minister for the southwestern Baluchistan province. [...] It was the first time the Islamic State group has claimed an attack on a church in Pakistan, though Muslim extremists have claimed church attacks in the past."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the church in Pakistan. These brave people live in a country where the majority of their fellow citizens would gladly see them rounded up and forcibly deported. They live in a country where their status as "fellow citizens" matters less than the fact that they are not followers of Islam. Please also join me in praying for those people of good will who do not follow the crowd and are willing to take a stand for justice and tolerance. As this report makes clear, the authorities are not indifferent and are trying to protect Christians who have the freedom to worship according to the Pakistani constitution.

Rumors of War - King of the North

Russia could cut off internet to NATO countries, British military chief warns - NBC News
NBC News reports: "Russia could try to sever global underwater communications cables, potentially triggering catastrophic repercussions for the economy and way of life in the West, the head of Britain’s military has warned. The vast majority of global internet and telephone traffic relied on by Western governments, economies and civilians is carried by cables that crisscross the world's seabeds, according to analysts."

Comment: This is a very interesting report, it highlights a security threat that many people are unaware of.  Fortunately, as the report notes, the security community has been aware of it for some time and it is now receiving the public attention it deserves.

Covenant With Many - Peace of Jerusalem

4 Palestinians killed, Israeli officer stabbed in protests over Jerusalem - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Violent clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians protesting U.S. President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital left four people dead and an officer injured Friday. Israeli police said officers shot and killed a man they said was wearing what appeared to be an explosives belt. The man allegedly stabbed and moderately injured a Border Police officer. [...] It was the second Friday of protests since Trump announced the United States would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there from Tel Aviv. Critics said Trump's announcement would make lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians more difficult."

Comment: It's a tragedy that lives have been lost because of this. Someone please tell the Palestinians that nothing has changed. Trump had a domestic political stunt to rally his base but nothing has changed in Jerusalem. Tell them that he signed the waiver. Tell them that the U.S. embassy won't be moved for many years.  Seriously, they are rioting over nothing and just making themselves look foolish.

Earthquake

6.5-magnitude earthquake rattles western Java - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled the western part of the island of Java in Indonesia on Friday, authorities said. The center of the temblor was situated in the town of Cipatujah, about 190 miles away from Jakarta, the U.S. Geological Survey said. CNN reported residents in Jakarta evacuated high-rise buildings and authorities evacuated a damaged hospital in Banyumas."

Comment: The "Ring of Fire" continues to uphold its reputation. 

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China warns Australia after naval drill in South China Sea - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China issued a warning to Australia after Australian troops staged a large-scale naval exercise in the South China Sea. The advisory from Beijing comes at a time when China is making swift progress on fortifying its military base in the disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. [...] According to Chinese state tabloid Global Times, Shen specifically said the presence of 1,200 Australian servicemen aboard six naval vessels during a drill in September 2017 had stoked concerns in Beijing. China, meanwhile, has not stopped building sophisticated military facilities on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea."

Comment: At some point they will have to stop calling them "disputed islands" unless they are willing to challenge Chinese claims. I think this report confuses the issue a bit, the reader would be forgiven for thinking the reclaimed islands share the disputed status of the Spratly and Paracel Islands and in either case, the disputants do not include Australia.

Rumors of War - Persia

Nikki Haley offers 'undeniable' proof Iran is arming rebels in Yemen - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Standing before large pieces of missile debris Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she said was 'undeniable' evidence Iran is providing weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen. She said the debris was from a short-range missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen into Saudi Arabia. The weapon hit a civilian airport. [...] The Trump administration argues the debris is evidence of Iran's violation of a resolution the United Nations passed after Tehran and western countries agreed to a deal halting Iran's nuclear program in 2015."

Comment: It appears to this observer that the Trump Administration has started to make the case in favor of breaking the nuclear agreement with Iran. I hope they have carefully considered the consequences.  The nuclear agreement did not address such issues and remains a poor tool to constrain Iranian involvement in the wider region. There are other tools available.

Rumors of War - King of the North

U.S. intercepts Russian jets over Syria, sends warning flares - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. military jets intercepted two Russian aircraft over Syria Thursday -- and fired warning flares, officials said. The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors interceded with the Russian Su-25s as they flew into a designated de-confliction zone east of the Euphrates River. The Russian planes left after the flare warnings, but officials said the encounter lasted for several minutes as Moscow's jets crossed the de-confliction zone several times."

EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The European Union agreed Thursday to extend sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine [...] for another six months during their summit in Brussels. [...] The sanctions target Russia's financial, energy and defence sectors as well as dual-use goods, which can be used for both civilian or military purposes. The EU first imposed the sanctions in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, and have agreed to extend them every six months since then."

Comment: So many military forces from different countries operating within the same area, it's a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Europe continues to hold Russia accountable for annexing Crimea.

King of the North - Doomed Damascus - Gog Alliance

Vladimir Putin declares victory in Syria, orders troops home - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Syria on Monday, declared victory and announced the pullout of his troops. Accompanied by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Putin spoke to Russian troops at the Khmeimim air base, which has been the headquarters of Russia's military mission in Syria since its military fighter planes first arrived there in 2015. [...] Syria's six-year civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 6 million civilians. Russia and Iran have sided with Assad in the conflict, which has run concurrently with efforts to defeat the Islamic State terror group in the north African nation."

Vladimir Putin asks lawmakers to expand Russian navy in Syria - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sent a draft treaty to lawmakers that could expand Moscow's navy presence in Syria until 2092. [...] If ratified, the agreement would extend the Russian navy's lease by 49 years, followed by automatic 25-year extensions if both parties agree. The naval base in Tartus is the only installation that gives Russian forces direct access to the Mediterranean Sea -- unlike its base in Crimea, which can be hindered by Turkish troops."

Comment:  It's interesting that Putin made his whirlwind tour of the Middle East, checking in with his Egyptian, Turkish and Syrian allies less than a week after Trump's Jerusalem decision. How quick other powers are to step in which they perceive the U.S. to be pulling back. Even as this report suggests that some Russian troops may be departing Syria there is no indication that Iranian militias will also be departing. I'm sure that is something Israel is playing close attention to.

Roaring Waves - Nations in Distress

Sea levels will rise, but scientists not sure how high - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The best climate models predict business-as-usual global warming -- as in, if humans do nothing to curb carbon emissions -- will trigger between 2 and 6 feet of global-average sea-level rise by 2100. At the low-end of the range, rising seas would swallow up land currently inhabited by 100 million people. At the upper-end, rising ocean levels would wash away the homes of 150 million people."

Comment: Ice doesn't care about politics. 

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China warms to South Korea as plans for refugees surface online - UPI.com
UPI reports: "South Korea recently reassured China with a public announcement to not add more THAAD batteries to the current deployment. North Korea, however, has not shown signs of cooperating with Chinese requests for an end to weapons tests and Kim Jong Un may have recently snubbed a top Chinese envoy. The relative lack of communication between the two traditional partners is prompting speculation Beijing is building refugee camps near North Korea, to possibly prepare for a breakout of conflict, The Guardian reported Tuesday."

Comment: There continue to be reports of strain in the relationship between China and North Korea and now we are getting reports that China is preparing to accommodate the waves of refugees that would be the result of conflict. This is prudent. War is not the only outcome that would generate an exodus of refugees, it's possible that the Kim regime could collapse from within. Either way, it's telling that China is preparing for such dire consequences. 

Gospel Preached to All Nations

American evangelist leads rare event in communist Vietnam - AP
The AP reports: "More than 10,000 Vietnamese filled up a stadium in a rare Christian evangelistic event led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, who said he wants the communist government to consider Christians its best citizens. Despite sweeping economic reforms over the past 30 years that made Vietnam one of the fasting growing countries in the region, the ruling Communist Party maintains strict control over all aspects of society, from media to religions. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 100 Vietnamese are in prison for peaceful religious and political activities. [...] Graham, who is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and one of the most prominent American preachers, said that religious freedom has gradually improved in Vietnam. [...] There are about 6.5 million Catholics and more than 1 million Protestants among Vietnam’s 95 million people, majority of whom are Buddhists."

Comment: What an extraordinary evangelistic event for a country not known to be welcoming to Christian preachers. I hope that Rev. Graham's visit will encourage Christians in Vietnam and convince the government that they are not a threat to be persecuted.  Please join me in praying for the church in Vietnam.

War

Iraqi government: Islamic State 'completely defeated' in country - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Iraq's prime minister announced Saturday that the country's defense forces completely liberated the nation from the Islamic State.[...]  Last month, Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed militias began a final campaign against the militants along the country's Syrian border. [...] In all, the Islamic State controlled more than 34,000 square miles from the Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad. Rawa was the last liberated city since the Islamic State took control in 2014."

Comment: How's the war in Iraq going? Pretty well according to this report. Many questions remain to be answered after the celebrations. Can they hold the territory? Will the Islamic State regroup in Iraq or migrate to another country? Has IS been defeated only to allow Iran to basically take over Iraq?

Rumors of War - Persia

Iran’s growing power could be explosive - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Iran is poised to consolidate its growing power in the Middle East as it tries to complete a strategic land bridge from the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean despite advances in Syria by the United States and its allies. Having cleared the last obstacles for the Shia-controlled corridor on the Iraq-Syria border, the Islamic Republic, unlike its ally Russia, plans to remain in Syria permanently and is building military bases in southern Syria, moves that Israel sees as a strategic threat."

Comment: While our news media remains fixated on Palestinian demonstrations against an embassy move that won't happen for years, the real threat is examined in this report from UPI. The threat of war is real simply because Israel will not tolerate Iran setting up shop in Syria.  The Palestinians are a distraction, Iran is the real story.

Covenant With Many

Israel Defense Forces strike Gaza Strip after Hamas rocket attack - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening. The IDF said the strikes were in retaliation for Palestinian rocket attacks that failed to reach Israeli territory, according to the Times of Israel. [...] The strikes on the Gaza Strip come after Palestinians spent Thursday protesting against the U.S. government's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Israeli forces clashed with protesters, resulting in more than 100 injuries, according to Palestine Red Cross numbers reported by The Washington Post. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called for a 'Day of Rage' leading up to the protests."

IDF sends forces to West Bank as clashes escalate over Jerusalem - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israel Defense Forces said they would send reinforcements to the West Bank as Hamas leaders called for an uprising over the United State's Jerusalem decision. [...] Palestinians marched in several West Bank areas, throwing rocks and firebombs and burning American flags and pictures of U.S. leaders as part of a 'day of rage.'."

Comment: The Palestinians continue to show their support for the peace process by launching rockets at Israel. Meanwhile, back in Washington, President Trump signed the waiver he criticized his predecessors for signing, effectively making the current embassy in Tel Aviv permanent for at least another six months and maybe for years to come. Honestly, I think nothing has changed and Trump just "played" the Palestinians who are now rioting over nothing.

Many analysts are saying that Trump effectively destroyed the ability of the U.S. to remain the Mideast peace negotiator, undercutting the efforts of his own son-in-law. In my opinion that may be the most important outcome in terms of Bible prophecy. Trump has opened up the role of Mideast peace negotiator to other actors besides the U.S. and so we should watch carefully to see who steps into the role.

Covenant with Many

World leaders warn against President Donald Trump's plan to move Israel embassy - UPI.com
UPI reports: "President Donald Trump on Wednesday recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in what he said was the 'pursuit of peace' between Israel and the Palestinians. As part of the decision, Trump announced the United States would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Comment:  It's an odd thing about politics. The details don't really matter. It doesn't matter than this move is almost a technical move, Trump is simply following American law and not doing a waiver like his predecessors did to get around it. The embassy won't actually move right away, but that doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter than on the ground, there in Jerusalem, nothing at all has changed. In politics, what matters is perception, the narrative that is sold in the news media, the soundbite easy for people to understand, what they call "the optics" of the situation, these days that is what matters. What is the narrative, the "take-away" that is being presented? It's that "Trump declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel."  Well, of course, he has not done that. It's not in his power to do that, lol. The government and people of Israel made that decision long ago. Jerusalem is where the parliament sits, where the president and prime minister have their offices, it is the political capital of the country. But, again, that doesn't matter. Trump did something "unilateral" and scary and that is what people who know nothing of the situation will take away from casually looking at the news today. And this is why they will riot in Palestinians areas and why other countries (like Iran) will be forced to take some kind of action. Because they are reacting to the perception, not the reality of what has happened.

Covenant With Many

Trump tells Abbas of plans to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem - UPI.com
UPI reports: "President Donald Trump on Tuesday informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Middle Eastern leaders he intends to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a statement from the Palestine Liberation Organization said. [...] The Trump administration also notified Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi King Salman of the plan. Senior U.S. officials said Trump plans to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday and delay moving the Embassy for six months, Haaretz reported."

Comment: Stay tuned for the big announcement tomorrow. There are many unanswered questions at this point. Is this part of a negotiating strategy for Trump's "ultimate deal" on Mideast peace? If not, will this end any hopes of a Mideast peace deal under American leadership? Will the Palestinians riot immediately or will they wait until the embassy is moved in six months? How will Iran and the rest of the militant Islamists react to this? 

Covenant With Many

Kushner: Trump wants 'peace and prosperity' for Israelis, Palestinians - UPI.com
UPI reports: "White House senior adviser Jared Kushner has said President Donald Trump wants to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key to stability in the region. Kushner spoke in Washington, D.C., Sunday about the Trump administration's Mideast peace efforts, and said Israel needs a deal with Palestinians before it can align with the rest of the Arab world. [...] Kushner also said Trump has not yet made up his mind on whether to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, or recognizing the latter as Israel's capital."

Muslim states warn US against moving embassy to Jerusalem - AP
AP reports: "An umbrella organization of Muslim countries said Monday that President Donald Trump’s possible recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would constitute “naked aggression” against the Arab and Muslim world, as the ruling Palestinian party has called for mass protests against such a move by Washington. [...] Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, but the international community doesn’t recognize its sovereignty over it. The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, home to the Old City’s contested holy sites, as the capital of a future state. The western half of the city is home to Israel’s parliament, Supreme Court and most government headquarters."

Comment: From what I've read in other reports Trump plans to make his announcement on Wednesday. This could be a very consequential decision for Israel, for Mideast peace efforts and for U.S. interests in the region.

Earthquake

6.0 earthquake hits Ecuador coast; no injuries reported- AP
The AP reports: "A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck along the coast of Ecuador Sunday in the same area where a much stronger tremor left hundreds dead last year. [...] Authorities said that there wasn’t a risk of a tsunami and appealed for calm. They also expressed optimism that Ecuadoreans were better prepared for a natural disaster after rebuilding from last year’s magnitude 7.8 quake along the Pacific coast that left more than 600 people dead and thousands more injured and homeless."

Covenant With Many

Kushner: Trump still undecided on Israel's capital - AP
The AP reports: "President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital or whether to proceed immediately in moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. That’s according to his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Kushner said Sunday that the president continues to weigh his options ahead of an announcement on the matter that is expected this week. [...] Kushner’s comments were his first public remarks on his efforts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. [...] Shortly before Kushner spoke, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would jeopardize the White House’s Mideast peace efforts."

Comment:  Please join me in praying for President Trump as he makes this decision, it's sure to have great prophetic implications.

Rumors of War - Doomed Damascus

Syria: Israeli missiles hit military base near Damascas - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli missiles struck a military base near Damascus early Saturday morning, Syrian state television said. An Iranian military base was struck around 12:30 a.m. near the city of Al-Kiswa, about eight miles southwest of the capital [...] heavy explosions were heard in the area and electricity was cut off throughout Damascus. The attack killed and wounded a number of Iranian soldiers, according to Al Qoraish, an Arab newspaper in London. Sources told Al Jazeera that Israel coordinated the strikes to target military sites and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. [...] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that it would not allow Iran to establish any military presence in Syria."

Comment: Tensions in the Middle East are growing on a daily basis, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds. We know that Netanyahu went to Moscow to tell Putin that Israel will not accept Iranian troops permanently based in Syria and as that was weeks ago it appears that we can now assume Putin did nothing to change the situation, so Israel is starting to deal with it in their own way. A skirmish in which Russian and Iranian troops get bloodied but not defeated may go a long way toward explaining why the Gog Alliance is spoiling for a fight in the future.

Pestilence

Ampicillin resistance likely started years before use with humans: Study - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Bacterial resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin may have begun years before doctors started prescribing it in the early 1960s, a new study suggests. Ampicillin, qa broad-spectrum penicillin, is widely used to treat many bacterial infections, including bladder and ear infections, pneumonia and gonorrhea. Resistance was likely triggered by overuse of penicillin in livestock in North America and Europe in the 1950s, according to researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. [...] Many bacteria that cause serious infections in people have developed resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin. And annual worldwide deaths from antibiotic resistance are expected to top 10 million by 2050, the researchers said in background notes."

Comment: Antibiotic resistance is one of those topics we have been watching for years, mostly due to the dire warnings from the medical community about what a world without antibiotics would look like. It's something to take very seriously. 

Rumors of War

Beijing: Military drills near North Korea border not targeting regime - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China's defense ministry ruled out a military option in dealing with the "North Korea problem" on Thursday, following Pyongyang's launch of what it claimed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. [...] 'The exercises are being conducted according to an annual plan,' Wu said. 'The exercises are not aimed at a particular country or party.' [...] Song Tao, a recent Chinese envoy to Pyongyang, was turned down for a meeting with leader Kim Jong Un, a North Korean move that may have not been well received in China."

Comment: This reporter has a gift for understatement. Let's consider for a moment the new national spirit in China. After decades of patient building programs in both the military and economic spheres China is now ready to enter a self-described new era of national pride and patriotism. They have an ambitious young leader who just consolidated power at the latest party congress and he is selling a narrative of national assertiveness, prestige and great power status. The mere idea that their client state is snubbing their representative must be infuriating. I scoffed at the notion that China had an interest in resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis but now I'm no longer sure. It could well be that that fundamentals have not changed - China still sees North Korea as a strategic buffer - but the "optics" have definitely changed. China has no national interest in maintaining a client state that does not know its place. While I don't believe China will ever support Korean unification, I now see a way forward for China to act against Kim and install a more compliant puppet regime. Let's continue to watch these developments.

Covenant With Many

White House: Reports of Israel embassy move are 'premature' - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The White House dismissed rumors this week that a Trump administration plan is imminent to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. [...] President Donald Trump has until this weekend to decide whether to sign a waiver suspending for six months a 1995 law that mandates moving the embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported. Every president, including Trump in June, has signed the waiver every six months since the law passed. [...] Jordan's King Abdullah II, who was in Washington as the reports came out, urged Trump to promote a two-state solution, warning officials that a lack of peace talks could promote extremism and terrorism in the region."

Comment: I always think it's amusing that reporters think the Palestinians have any leverage. They will walk away, really? They will start sulking and decide they don't want peace after all? Maybe if they get really angry they might start firing off rockets at Israel from Gaza. Oh wait...don't they do that already? If the Palestinians really wanted peace with Israel couldn't they just unilaterally accept any of the four or five peace deals already put before them? They could do that right? What a diplomatic coup that would be! Israel would be forced to accept a peace plan they already proposed. This could happen...but it won't. The Palestinians hold all the cards for peace. They could choose to unilaterally disarm and adopt Gandhi-inspired civil disobedience. A democratic society like Israel would be totally flummoxed by that and would no doubt cave within weeks. But again, that will never happen. Many people have started to wake up to the fact that the Palestinians don't really want peace with Israel, they want peace without Israel.

Rumors of War

Five years in North Korea's quest for nuclear missiles - UPI.com
UPI reports: "North Korea has engaged in more missile provocations during the first months of U.S. President Donald Trump's term in office than in President Barack Obama's first four-year term. Pyongyang also conducted its sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3 in direct defiance of warnings from the United States and the international community. Recent developments indicate North Korea is uninterested in denuclearization."

Rumors of War

Pentagon: North Korea fires intercontinental ballistic missile - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An initial assessment indicates that North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, the Pentagon said. 'The U.S. Department of Defense detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 1:17 p.m. EST,' Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning said in a statement. 'Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile.' If confirmed, it would be North Korea's third ICBM launch following two in July."

Comment:  It seems like the North Korean dictator is determined to provoke a reaction from President Trump. That seems like a bad idea. The chances of a miscalculation are very high.

Mark of the Beast

Bitcoin near $10K -- now seven times more valuable than gold - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The virtual currency bitcoin hit a new high of $9,700 on Monday -- making it worth seven times more than an ounce of gold. After starting the year with a value of just $1,000, the currency's value has skyrocketed 860 percent this year. Its value was listed at $8,000 just last week. The latest gains could be fueled by expectations of big investors, such as hedge funds and asset managers, pouring money into the currency."

Comment: I'm starting to follow Bitcoin news after being a bit late to the party. I looked into this a bit and it does appear that the underlying technology may be a potential platform to host a universal currency. The usual caveat applies:  I'm just following trends and don't know what the MOTB will turn out to be.

Doomed Damascus - Gog Alliance

Vladimir Putin welcomes surprise visit by Bashar al-Assad in prelude to peace talks - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Assad showed up for an unscheduled visit with Putin in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi Monday, where the Kremlin leader is set to hold peace talks with Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday. Kremlin officials are meeting in Sochi to talk about various defense issues. Syria's civil war has raged for six years, killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 6 million civilians. Russia and Iran have sided with Assad in the conflict, which has run concurrently with efforts to defeat the Islamic State terror group in the north African nation."

Comment: Aside from the amusing insight shared by the reporter that Syria is in Africa (seriously, look at a map before you report on a country), it's noteworthy that Russia, Turkey and Iran - future members of the Gog Alliance - are meeting to decide the fate of Syria. It's kind of nice that they bothered to invite Assad.

False Christs - Wickedness Increases

For many, Charles Manson cult killings ended era of love - AP
The AP reports: "In summer 1969, a scruffy ex-convict with a magnetic hold on young women sent some of his disciples into the night to carry out a series of gruesome killings in Los Angeles. In so doing, Charles Manson became the leering face of evil on front pages across America and rewrote the history of an era. [...] At a former movie ranch outside Los Angeles, he and his devotees — many of them young runaways who likened him to Jesus Christ — lived commune-style, using drugs and taking part in orgies. [...] Why he ordered the killing of strangers remained a mystery."

Comment: An example of pure evil and the seductive power of evil. 

War

Iraqi army takes Islamic State's last stronghold, Rawa - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Iraqi army said Friday it's retaken the town of Rawa, the last Islamic State stronghold in the country.[...]  With support from local militias and airstrikes by a U.S.-led coalition, forces entered Rawa Friday to little resistance, Iraqi commanders said. Friday afternoon the Iraqi army announced it had 'liberated Rawa completely.' [...] The Islamic State, which controlled one-third of Iraqi territory three years ago, is now reduced to a small part of Syria as its primary domain. It used to have Mosul, Fallujah and Tikrit as Iraqi strongholds."

Comment: The end of the Islamic State is near. One question, when all of the fighting is over in Syria, will all the foreign fighters peacefully depart? 

Gospel Preached to All Nations

Museum of the Bible, built by Hobby Lobby owner, opens in DC - AP
The AP reports: "The $500 million museum includes pieces from the family’s collection from the Dead Sea Scrolls, towering bronze gates inscribed with text from the Gutenberg Bible and a soundscape of the 10 plagues, enhanced by smog and a glowing red light to symbolize the Nile turned to blood. It is an ambitious attempt to appeal simultaneously to people of deep faith and no faith, and to stand out amid the impressive constellation of museums in Washington. The Bible exhibits are so extensive that administrators say it would take days to see everything."

Comment: This is an excellent article to point out to your liberal friends who scoff at the idea of media bias. Sure, we all accept there is bias in news media platforms, after all, no one watches MSNBC and expects a conservative slant or watches Fox News and expects a liberal slant or tunes in to CNN and expects to hear good things about President Trump. We have become accustomed to biased news presented on television. But bias in the legacy news media is often harder to pin down and that's especially true when it comes to what they used to call the "newswire" services, outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters news services. These kinds of services come closest to old school "just the facts" reporting. Yet, when you look closely there are examples of embedded cultural bias like the well documented bias educated Eastern liberals have towards organized religion.

Like a lawyer deposing a witness we are first given the facts of the case, a new museum has opened, but then the credibility of the witness is slowly attacked so that in the end, you start to suspect their motives. There is something fishy going on here.

So, this is where we are in America in the 21st Century. We live in a time when a wealthy celebrity (not naming names) can use his fortune to support a newfangled religion like Scientology but if a Christian entrepreneur uses his fortune to support his Christian faith it's presented as something sketchy. If you read between the lines of this article closely you see that the facts are presented clearly, that this is a privately funded museum that is going to great pains to present a book and not proselytize, that's clear, but the adept reader will note the underlying assumption that if they did attempt to do that it would somehow be bad.

Here we are in the West, what was once quaintly called Christendom, and it's as if the reporter has discovered a new religion that is being pushed on the people by an eccentric millionaire and she is doing a public service by warning us of this strange and possibly dangerous religion. Don't be hoodwinked by the snake-oil salesman, the reporter seems to caution, there is definitely some scary religious evangelism going on here. Beware!

Rumors of War - Persia - Doomed Damascus

Israel fears Syria buffer will put Iran close to frontier - AP
The AP reports: "The official map included in a preliminary agreement that seeks to establish buffer zones in southwest Syria indicates that Iran-backed forces could deploy within several miles (kilometers) of the Israeli frontier — setting the stage for potential conflict between the bitter enemies. [...] Israeli leaders have repeatedly warned that they oppose a permanent military presence by Iran or its allies in postwar Syria. Officials have pushed for assurances from the international community that any Iranian-backed forces remain far from Israel’s border."

Comment: It's my understanding that Netanyahu went to Russia to tell Putin that a permanent Iranian presence in Syria was an Israeli red line. I think most observers understand that for Israel, a red line means action will be taken if the line is crossed.  This is a situation with great prophetic importance and deserves careful attention. 

Earthquakes

Quake in South Korea left 1,500 homeless, dozens injured - AP
The AP reports: "A 5.4 magnitude earthquake that was South Korea’s second-strongest in decades damaged infrastructure, injured dozens of people and left about 1,500 homeless, officials said Thursday. No deaths have been reported since the quake rattled the southeastern coastal region around the port city of Pohang on Wednesday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, 1,536 people had been forced to evacuate their homes and 57 people were injured, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said in a statement."

Comment: The ring of fire seems to be getting very active lately.

Wickedness Increases

Gunman targets people at random in California town, kills 4 - AP
AP reports: "A gunman driving stolen vehicles and choosing his targets at random opened fire 'without provocation' in a tiny, rural Northern California town Tuesday, killing four people and wounding at least 10 others, including a student at an elementary school, before police shot him dead, authorities said."

Comment: Now that wicked people know that they can simply take out their rage and anger upon the world with random violence, no place is safe. 

Rumors of War - Persia - Doomed Damascus

Iran building permanent military base in Syria - claim - BBC News
BBC News reports: "Iran is establishing a permanent military base inside Syria, a Western intelligence source has told the BBC. The Iranian military is said to have established a compound at a site used by the Syrian army outside El-Kiswah, 14 km (8 miles) south of Damascus. The report comes amid growing tensions over Iranian influence in Syria and across the region. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned that Iran wanted to establish itself militarily in Syria. 'Israel will not let that happen,' he said."

Comment: The proxy war currently ongoing between Saudi Arabia and Iran is one thing, and not to minimize it, but the prospect of getting Israel involved in fighting Iranian forces in Syria is like a prophetic tripwire. Things could happen very quickly. This is a situation that deserves careful attention. 

Earthquake

Powerful earthquake on Iran-Iraq border kills more than 140 - AP
AP reports: "A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than 140 people and injuring 860 in the mountainous region of Iran alone, state media there said. The Baghdad government did not immediately give word on damage or casualties in that country. The 7.3-magnitude quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 23.2 kilometers (14.4 miles), a shallow depth that can have broader damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes on their own are capable of widespread, heavy damage. The quake was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast."

Comment: This is a very large earthquake, it's fortunate that it did not hit a major metropolitan area or the loss of life would have been much higher.

Persecution

British Kidnapped Missionary Dies, 3 Others Released by Armed Gang in Nigeria - Christian Post
The Christian Post reports: "A British Christian missionary has reportedly died while being held captive for three weeks in Nigeria by kidnappers. Three other missionaries held hostage were allowed to go free. The Telegraph reported on Monday that David Donovan, his wife, Shirley, and Alanna Carson have been flown back home to Britain after they were released by an armed gang in Nigeria's southern Delta region where they were held. The survivors are mourning their colleague, 57-year-old Ian Squire, who died while in captivity."

Comment: This is a tragic ending to this kidnapping story we noted a few weeks ago. Please join me in praying for the family and friends of Ian Squire and giving thanks for the safe return of his three fellow missionaries.

Rumors of War - Persia

Israel says downed Syrian spy drone over Golan Heights - Reuters
Reuters reports: "Israel shot down a Syrian spy drone over the Golan Heights on Saturday, the Israeli military said. [...] Israel fears an eventual Assad victory could leave Iran with a permanent garrison in Syria, extending a threat posed from neighboring Lebanon by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and has been lobbying Russia and the United States for reassurances that Iranian and Hezbollah forces will not be allowed to deploy near its border or set up bases within Syria."

Comment:  More evidence for those who fear an eventual confrontation between Israel and Russia and Iran in and around Syria.

Famine

Rebel-held Sanaa braces for 'famine' as blockade tightens - AFP
AFP and Yahoo News report: "Residents of Yemen's rebel-held capital said Thursday rising food and fuel prices were making life increasingly difficult because of a Saudi-led blockade that the UN warned could bring the world's worst famine in decades."

Comment: I know some will argue that this is not a true famine. This is a man-made famine caused by war. But, whether famine is caused by climate, crop failure or from war, do we really think that starving people care about the distinction? Throughout most of recorded history war, famine and pestilence have gone hand in hand.

Rumors of War - Persia

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait warn citizens to leave Lebanon immediately - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are warning their citizens in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible. [...] Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a similar measure later in the day. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also advised their citizens against traveling to Lebanon. Bahrain issued a similar warning on Sunday, urging its citizens to 'exercise caution' in leaving Lebanon. The warnings come amid rising tensions in the Middle East."

Comment: It does appear the the Saudi vs. Iran proxy war may become hot in Lebanon. Israel remains cautiously on the sidelines for now. Stay tuned.

Wickedness Increases

Video shows Texas church shooter methodically firing at victims - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Video of Sunday's service at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, shows the shooter methodically executing the victims, law enforcement officials said. State and federal investigators reviewed gruesome footage from the shooting which showed Devin Patrick Kelley walking through the pews as he fired at the victims for about 7 minutes, the official told ABC News. Kelley walked through every pew, crossing the main aisle several times as he quickly fired at the victims, which included small children, stopping only to reload."

Comment: This is just so evil and wicked, what more really is there to say? Praying for the victims families, their friends and the community.

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

Moon, Trump agree to build up deterrence, urge North Korea to give up nukes - UPI.com UPI reports: "The presidents of South Korea and the United States agreed Tuesday to completely remove the limit on the payload of South Korean ballistic missiles and discuss Seoul's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced weapons, Seoul officials said. [...] the discussion included Seoul's development or acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Nuclear-powered submarines are considered asymmetrical assets that can intercept North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles, but are currently prohibited under a nuclear pact between Seoul and Washington."

Comment: People like to say that China has the power to end the Korean nuclear crisis. I'm not entirely sure that's true. Young Kim has not shown the respect his father and grandfather had for China, either as a neighbor or a patron. Still, I'm sure that if there is one thing that China would seek to avoid is the continuation of a crisis that will increasingly turn South Korea into a formidable military threat. It is certainly in the interest of China to end this crisis if inaction means a nuclear-armed South Korea. 

Rumors of War - Persia

Saudi Arabia: Houthi militia's attempted attack 'an act of war' by Iran - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Saudi Arabia is calling an intercepted missile attack aimed at Riyadh from the Houthi militia an act of aggression by Iran. The Sunni-majority country is blaming the Iranian-backed Houthi for the attack, while Iran is denying ever arming the militia group with weapons. [...] Saudi Arabia has continued to blame Iran for arming Houthi rebels with ballistic missiles, launchers, explosive-laden drones and sea mines. [...] The proxy war has gone on since 2014 when the Houthi militia took control of the capital Sanaa and began to seize more power in Yemen. Saudi Arabia launched a force against the group and essentially against Iran by forming its own massive air campaign. Mostly Saudi-led airstrikes have led to more than 10,000 dead and 40,000 wounded."

Comment: Best to let Saudi Arabia take on Iran rather than Israel or the U.S., at least at this time. Limited proxy wars can serve a useful purpose if they help refocus and dissipate tensions in a region.

Rumors of War - Persia

Iran shows off missile to mark anniversary of U.S. Embassy takeover - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Iran marked the 38th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Saturday by displaying a missile and holding anti-U.S. demonstrations. Iran showed off its most powerful missile, the liquid-filled, surface-to-surface Qadr, which the semiofficial Fars News agency says it can travel 1,243 miles, including to Israel. Demonstrators held anti-U.S. and anti-Israel signs and chanted slogans, including 'Down With the US,' condemning Washington's policies toward Iran. They gathered at the former embassy where Iranian student revolutionaries climbed over the walls on Nov. 4, 1979, and seized 52 Americans, holding them hostage for 444 days."

Comment: It's sad to see an entire country in thrall to an imported religion that has nothing to do with their ancient Persian civilization. Perhaps they will snap out of it in time.

War

Trump admin says current law permits new wars without Congress vote - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress Monday that a 2001 authorization for war against terrorist groups provides adequate permission to continue military operations in several countries around the world. Since the death of four American soldiers in Niger this month, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have begun to question the United States' longstanding foreign policy of conducting anti-terrorism military operations in foreign countries without Congressional approval. Such operations have been allowed since Congress approved the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists act on Sept. 14, 2001, just three days after the 9/11 attacks."

Comment:  I was going to point out how odd it is that we have come to accept the idea that the U.S. is now engaged in a long-term war with vague parameters about who/what/when/where and everyone seems fine with that...but then another terrorist attack happened. Honestly, I don't know what to think about it anymore. I know that generations of Americans, going back to the Founders', thought about war was a specific and well-defined thing, that the country would be at war with another country until victory was achieved. That was what war meant. In that context the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war. An open-ended war against a constantly changing adversary would have been incomprehensible to them, as would the idea of Congress giving the President a blank check to wage war. Yet, here we are.

Future Fear - Roaring Waves

U.S. government report blames humans for climate change - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Humans are to blame to for global warming, according to the most comprehensive climate change report yet produced by the federal government. [...] The report points to the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests as the primary causes of the nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit of warming over the last century. It also blames man-made climate change for increases in extreme weather events, including larger tropical storms, rising sea levels, coastal flooding, prolonged droughts and dangerous heatwaves."

Comment: I know I get push-back every time I post one of these, but I honestly don't find any contradiction here at all with Bible prophecy. The increase in extreme weather events, coastal flooding and rising sea levels is entirely consistent with our expectations based on specific prophetic scriptures. I think part of the problem is that a certain segment of the BP community has come to accept the notion that "global warming" is part of a liberal political agenda and therefore is always suspect. Well guess what, liberals are no longer in power and global warming is still a thing. The environment doesn't vote and knows nothing of political agendas. I think it's important to untangle this issue from rival political agendas and accept that whether or not global warming is caused by human activity or is part of the natural weather cycle, or some combination of the two, it's still happening.

Persecution

Vice President Pence to visit Israel and Egypt in December - AP
AP reports: "Vice President Mike Pence announced Wednesday that he will travel to Israel and Egypt in late December, and said the U.S. will redirect funds aimed at helping persecuted Christians and other minorities away from the United Nations. [...] Pence complained that Christians and other persecuted people in the Middle East have not been getting the relief they need, and accused the U.N. of having 'too often failed to help the most vulnerable communities, especially religious minorities.[...] From this day forward, America will provide support directly to persecuted communities through USAID,' said Pence. 'Our fellow Christians and all who are persecuted in the Middle East should not have to rely on multinational institutions when America can help them directly.' [...] Pence bemoaned an 'unprecedented assault' on Christianity 'in those ancient lands where it first grew,' pointing to incidents like the Palm Sunday church bombings targeting Coptic Christians in Egypt and attacks on Christian communities in Syria."

Comment: It's great to see more attention being paid to the plight of Christians in the Middle East. Pence's visit and the promise of more funding promises to raise the profile of the Christian community and help them see they are not alone. 

Nations in Distress - Roaring Waves

Scientists map coastal communities most vulnerable to natural disasters - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Scientists have identified coastal communities where poverty, poor infrastructure and exposure to the elements combine to create a unique level of vulnerability to natural disasters. These varying levels of risk are showcased on a new map of the Caribbean and South America published this week in the journal PLOS ONE. [...] The 2017 hurricane season decimated many vulnerable communities in the Caribbean. To better protect populations from future natural disasters, policy makers must know where resources are needed most."

Comment: Coastal communities are being decimated. To my way of thinking, it doesn't really matter if it's caused by global warming or not...it's happening. 

Covenant With Many

100 years: Israelis, British honor Balfour Declaration, Palestinians protest - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Thousands gathered across the Middle East on Thursday to protest the centenary of Britain's declaration of support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, some being met with military force. The so-called Balfour Declaration -- in which British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour sent a letter to Lord Rothschild in 1917 giving support for a Jewish homeland -- made way for the future establishment of Israel."

Comment: The anti-Israel bias in this report is strong. Sorry silly reporter, it's not the "so-called Balfour Declaration," that is the actual name that appears in history books. I find it uprising that editors continue to allow reporters to use "so-called" in front of what is otherwise accepted terminology to demonstrate scorn, doubt or disapproval.

Wars & Rumors of War

Uzbek man charged in New York attack said he 'felt good' about what he did - Reuters
Reuters reports: "Tuesday’s assault was the deadliest in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001, when suicide hijackers crashed two jetliners into the World Trade Center, killing more than 2,600 people. [...] According to authorities, he then exited his vehicle shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - Arabic for 'God is greatest' - and brandishing what turned out to be a paint-ball gun and a pellet gun before a police officer shot him in the abdomen. [...] Two senior U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday urged authorities to treat Saipov as an enemy combatant, which would allow investigators to question him without having a lawyer present."

Comment: It's interesting to note that the mainstream news media is openly identifying the religion of the terrorist. In the not so recent past they would simply say "militant" or "fighter" or some such generic term to allow them to refuse to acknowledge the role that religion plays in providing the motivation for such violent attacks.

Wars & Rumors of War

'Cowardly act of terror': Truck driver kills 8 on bike path - AP
AP reports: "A man in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists along a busy bike path near the World Trade Center memorial on Tuesday, killing at least eight and seriously injuring 11 in what the mayor called 'a particularly cowardly act of terror.' The driver was shot in the abdomen by police after jumping out of the truck with what turned out to be a fake gun in each hand and shouting what witnesses said was 'Allahu Akbar,' Arabic for 'God is great,' authorities said. [...] New York and other cities around the globe have been on high alert against attacks by extremists in vehicles. The Islamic State group has been exhorting its followers to mow down people, and England, France and Germany have seen deadly vehicle attacks in the past year or so. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called it a 'lone wolf' attack and said there was no evidence to suggest it was part of a wider plot."

Comment: Apparently in the confusion of scanning the news headlines on Tuesday night I prepared this post but saved it as a draft instead of posting it. I'm posting it now so it will go in the right space in the timeline of posts.  [11/2/17]

Persecution

Egypt diocese says 3 churches closed over attack fears - AP
AP reports: "Egyptian authorities have shuttered three Coptic Christian churches in a southern province over fears of attacks by Muslim extremists, religious officials said Monday. Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population of more than 100 million, have long complained of discrimination in the Muslim-majority nation, and say authorities have often failed to protect them from sectarian attacks. The Minya Coptic Orthodox Diocese said authorities sealed off two churches in the southern province, citing harassment and attacks by extremists. A third was closed due to fear of attacks. [...]clashes broke out Friday when ultraconservative Muslims tried to attack one of the churches, adding that a Coptic woman was wounded. Later that day, the mob attacked Christian homes, the statement said."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the safety and faithful perseverance of the persecuted church in Egypt. Do  you think the Muslim people in Egypt understand that Islam is an imported religion that has nothing to do with Egypt but Jesus, the founder of the Christian religion, actually lived in Egypt when he was a child? I think this idea should be made known to the people of Egypt.  

Rumor of War - King of the North

Vladimir Putin launches 4 ballistic missiles in Russia military drill - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Russian President Vladimir Putin himself test fired several nuclear-capable ballistic missiles during military training exercises, Moscow's government said. The training exercises by the Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces late Thursday included tests of land, air and submarine-based missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said. [...] Three missiles were fired from submarines and one was fired from a ground station at the Plesetsk cosmodrome, north of Moscow. [...] The ground-fired missile struck a practice range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in far eastern Russia, after traveling nearly the length of the entire country."

Comment: Practice makes perfect. I wonder when it will be time to officially acknowledge that the world is once again in a nuclear arms race?

Question: I was recently told by a friend in another country that the links to UPI do not open in that country. Since UPI stands for United Press International - it has international in the name - it never occurred to me that these links were only active for U.S. users. I would like to invite comment and feedback from any site visitors outside the U.S., can you confirm that you are not able to open links to the UPI news service? Thank you.

Rumors of War

Pentagon chief accuses NKorea of threatening 'catastrophe' - AP
The AP reports: "U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused North Korea on Friday of building a nuclear arsenal to “threaten others with catastrophe” and said the Trump administration remains committed to compelling the North to accept complete nuclear disarmament. Calling the North a threat to global order, Mattis stood inside the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas and pledged solidarity with the South. [...] Mattis is emphasizing the Trump administration’s push for a diplomatic solution to the problem. But he also has said the U.S. is prepared to take military action if the North does not halt its development of missiles that could strike the entirety of the United States, potentially with a nuclear warhead."

Comment: I can't help but wonder what further diplomatic efforts they might have in mind? 

Persecution

Most of world lacks real religious freedom, UN official says
The AP reports: "Three-quarters of the world’s people live in countries that either restrict the right to religion or belief or have “a high level of social hostility involving religion or belief,” the U.N. special investigator on religious rights said Tuesday. Ahmed Shaheed told the General Assembly’s human rights committee that religious intolerance is prevalent globally — and rising around the world. He said over 70 countries currently have anti-blasphemy laws that can be used to suppress dissenting views, in violation of international human rights standards. Shaheed, a former politician and human rights expert from the Maldives, urged those countries to repeal the blasphemy laws. He also called for the repeal of all laws that undermine the exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief — or discriminate against that right."

Comment: Did you know there are no churches in Saudi Arabia? None. If you moved there and decided that you might like to have Sunday services for your particular Christian denomination at a local community center, that would be illegal. You would get into a great deal of trouble. It makes sense though, because Saudi Arabia is officially a Muslim country and was never intended to be an open and pluralist society. It says so on the brochure.

War

U.S.-backed forces celebrate liberation of Raqqa, Syria - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The U.S.-backed coalition fighting militants in Syria formally announced Friday that the city of Raqqa - the onetime capital of the Islamic State in the country - has been entirely liberated. [...] Earlier this week the SDF declared its major military operations in Raqqa had concluded, though pockets of resistance remained in the city nearly destroyed by aerial bombardment."

Comment: This is a milestone in the war, to be sure, but is it a turning point? There is a chance that Islamic State will relocate to Yemen or any one of a number of lawless failed states in Africa and regroup.  Stay tuned.

Pestilence

Is a dangerous bird flu on the horizon? - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Scientists have found new evidence that the H7N9 bird flu, currently confined to China, has the potential for a widespread outbreak. Public health experts have long been tracking the bird flu strain, which emerged in humans in 2013. Since then, nearly 1,600 cases have been confirmed in China -- with a death rate of about 40 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [...] influenza viruses constantly mutate, and it's possible for a strain to become more virulent, more resistant to drugs or more easily transmissible."

Persecution

Nigerian militants kidnap four believed to be British missionaries - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Nigerian police said suspected militants kidnapped four people believed to be British missionaries in the country's southern Delta state. Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said officials believe militant group Karowei are behind the kidnapping, which took place Friday. A local police chief told BBC News that the victims had been providing medical aid and preaching in Nigeria for up to 10 years."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the safety and quick release of these abducted missionaries. 

War

Islamic State defeated in Raqqa after four-month siege - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday it has cleared Raqqa, the Islamic State's de facto Syrian capital, of all militant fighters -- ending a fight that began early this summer. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the U.S.-backed rebel force, said the four-month fight in the Islamic State's de facto Syrian capital ended Tuesday -- with about 300 remaining militant holdouts confined to a narrow section of the city. [...] The Islamic State lost Mosul, its largest city in Iraq, three months ago -- and now controls only a small strip of Syrian territory in the Euphrates Valley, south of the city of Deir Ezzor."

Experts: Islamic State 'death spiral' most dangerous part of fight for U.S. coalition - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Experts on the Middle East, terrorism and the Islamic State say that while the terrorist organization is in a "death spiral," the U.S.-led coalition battling the group is likely entering its most dangerous phase. The early signs of victory are beginning to circulate as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, drive IS out of its proclaimed capital of Raqqa, Syria. [...] The battle of Raqqa comes more than two months since the bloody, nine-month campaign to liberate Mosul, Iraq, from IS militants. [...] Several other experts told UPI they fear Yemen will be the main area of interest as IS attempts to regroup and exert influence."

Comment: This was an historic day in the fight against the Islamic State. The capital of their so-called caliphate, Raqqa, has been liberated.  The war is not over, of course, and it's always possible that they could regroup, but we should take this moment to appreciate the victory and those who lost their lives making it happen.

Rumors of War - King of the North

NATO conducts annual nuclear defense drill in Western Europe - UPI.com
UPI reports: "NATO countries on Monday kicked off its annual nuclear drill at two bases in Western Europe -- part of a three-week event to test defenses. Military leaders conducted the nuclear defense drill, called 'Steadfast Noon,' at Kleine Brogel in Belgium and Buchel in Germany -- two bases where the U.S. military stores nuclear weapons. Details of the exercise were not made public but NATO officials privately said it was the military alliance's primary nuclear deterrent drill. [...] Russia conducted similar military exercises last month on the western borders of Russia and Belarus, which included a nuclear deterrent drill and the firing of a ballistic missile."

Comment: It never hurts to be prepared for the worst. 

War - Gog Alliance

Turkish troops set up observation posts in Syria's Idlib province - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Turkish forces on Friday began crossing into Syria's Idlib province in order to monitor de-escalation zones, the Turkish military said. The troop movement is part of a joint mission between Turkey, Russia and Iran to observe de-escalation zones and remove a stronghold of former al-Qaida militants from the area. The three countries agreed in May to be guarantors of a cease-fire to help end the six-year civil war in Syria. Turkey backs groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Russia and Iran support the leader."

Comment: We can't overestimate the bonds that are formed at all levels when countries wage war together. Turkey, Russia and Iran are working together in Syria and this means that links are being forged at the top level of head of state all the way down to the infantry. I have no doubt that the foundations of the Gog alliance are being formed now and will only strengthen with time.

Rumors of War - Persia

Donald Trump imposing new sanctions on Iran - UPI.com
UPI reports: "President Donald Trump said Friday he won't certify that Iran is complying with the terms of a landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, and instead announced new sanctions against the regime in Tehran. [...] Though he said the United States is not unilaterally withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Trump emphasized concern about Iran's ability to "sprint" toward nuclear proliferation when certain aspects of the deal "sunset," or expire. He also cited western powers' inability to quickly inspect sites in Iran."

Comment: Ok, so now the ball is in Iran's court, how will they react? They could interpret this action as merely bluster from Trump and understand that it really changes nothing. The U.S. has not withdrawn from the nuclear deal.

On the other hand, hard-line forces within the Iranian government and military may have just found the reason they needed to withdraw from the deal, blame Trump, and go nuclear as quickly as they can.  After all, Trump did just impose new sanctions, a move not likely to be interpreted as business as usual in the context of the deal.

The stakes are very high now, let's watch carefully to see if this moves the Mideast closer or further away from a regional war.

Covenant With Many - Peace of Jerusalem

Hamas, Fatah reach deal on Palestinian reconciliation - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Rival Islamic factions Hamas, which controls Gaza, and the West Bank's Fatah agreed Thursday to a reconciliation deal allowing the Palestinian Authority to assume control of both areas. Palestinians in each area have been ruled separately since 2007, when a split developed between the two Islamic groups. [...] The presence of the Palestinian Authority is a key element in convincing Egypt and Israel to lift economic blockades of Gaza, Haaretz reported."

Comment: After all the celebrating is over I'm wondering if Hamas will radicalize Fatah or if Fatah will moderate Hamas?  There is also the possibility that both will retain their distinct identities (and sponsors) and that this is all for show so they can get Egypt and Israel to lift the blockade. Time will tell. One thing is certain, a united front by the Palestinians puts increased pressure on Israel to return to negotiations and as we know, for most of the world, "negotiations" means what more Israel can give.

Persecution

Egyptian Coptic priest killed in Cairo attack - AP
AP reports: "Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church says a priest has been killed in a knife attack in a poor Cairo district, the latest deadly assault on members of the country’s Christian minority. [...] Attacks on Egypt’s Christians, who account for about 10 percent of the country’s 94 million people, have surged in recent months, with a series of suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killing more than 100 since December."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in Egypt. 

Rumors of War

USS Tucson, supersonic bomber deployed to South Korea - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A Los Angeles-class attack submarine made a stop in the South Korean port of Jinhae, the U.S. Navy and South Korean officials confirmed Wednesday. The USS Tucson, based in Hawaii, is capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, surveillance and reconnaissance, Stars and Stripes reported. [...] The submarine deployment to Korea occurred around the same time the United States deployed a B-1B bomber, with two F-15K fighter jets, to the peninsula for joint drills, South Korean news service Money Today reported Wednesday."

Trump Wanted Tenfold Increase in Nuclear Arsenal, Surprising Military - NBC News
NBC News reports: "President Donald Trump said he wanted what amounted to a nearly tenfold increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal during a gathering this past summer of the nation’s highest-ranking national security leaders, according to three officials who were in the room. [...] Revelations of Trump’s comments that day come as the U.S. is locked in a high-stakes standoff with North Korea over its nuclear ambitions and is poised to set off a fresh confrontation with Iran by not certifying to Congress that Tehran is in compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal."

Trump expected to decertify Iran nuclear deal Friday- CNBC
CNBC reports: "President Donald Trump's decision on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal could come on Friday, and experts say the "writing is on the wall" that the administration won't recertify the landmark agreement and he likely will turn his attention to getting European support on fixing it. [...] some experts told CNBC that decertification will undermine the international deal and encourage hardliners in Tehran to push for nuclear weapons. Also, they said nixing certification of the Iran deal and trying to renegotiate it will discourage North Korea from ever considering a denuclearization accord."

U.S. military dropped 751 bombs on Afghanistan in September - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The U.S. military dropped 751 bombs on Afghanistan during the month of September, the highest number in five years, according to data recently released by U.S. Air Forces Central Command. [...] So far this year, the U.S. has deployed 3,238 bombs in Afghanistan."

Comment: The American military buildup continues are Trump seeks to confront North Korea and Iran....at the same time? It seems to me that a wise leader would pick his battles. If Iran is at all limited by the nuclear arms deal (and it is) then it would be best to accept that as the status quo while attention is focused on North Korea. I don't know of any military leader who would recommend military engagement in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and North Korea all at the same time. These are dangerous times my friends.

Earthquakes

6.3 magnitude earthquake hits northern Chile - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit northern Chile early Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake had a depth of 51 miles and its epicenter in Tarapaca was 45 miles east of the port city of Arica, and 54 miles southeast of the Peruvian city of Tacna, the USGS said. Analysts said preliminary data indicates the quake to be a typical subduction earthquake, meaning the seismic event was probably triggered by a portion of the Pacific plate sliding under the South American plate."

Comment: This seems to be pretty average for a strong quake, just the Ring of Fire being the Ring of Fire. 

Rumors of War - Persia

Iran official: New U.S. sanctions would bring 'harsh' response - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An Iran foreign ministry official said Monday Tehran would respond in a "harsh" and "decisive" manner to any new sanctions from the United States -- or if Washington designates Iran's security force as a terrorist organization. The Trump administration is reportedly considering decertifying Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear pact next week, at which time Congress could impose sanctions."

Comment: If we accept that Iran is waging a proxy war with Saudi Arabia for control of the Arab and Muslim world we might be able to come up with some kind of regional strategy with like-minded allies (including Israel). A cooperative effort that goes beyond merely calling the Obama-era nuclear pact a "bad deal" might be a more productive strategy.

Pestilence

WHO acting to contain Madagascar plague outbreak - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The World Health Organization issued a warning about a worrisome outbreak of plague on the African island of Madagascar that has caused 200 infections and 33 deaths since September. [...] The outbreak is similar in some respects to the deadly Ebola outbreak that ravaged parts of west Africa in 2014. Similar to Madagascar's outbreak, a single individual infected in an isolated area traveled to a population center, sparking a deadly outbreak."

Signs in the Sun

Scientists propose space shield to protect Earth from solar storms - UPI.com
UPI reports: "If governments and their space agencies are serious about protecting Earth from solar storms, one team of researchers argues a giant space shield is the most logical solution.[....]  Solar storms -- intense waves of high energy particles flung into space during coronal mass ejection -- aren't so much a threat to life. But they could seriously damage satellites, electric grids, communications systems and a variety of modern technologies."

Comment: They say it's only a matter of time before a 1859-like solar storm happens.

Rumors of War

Analyst: North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul, Tokyo could kill 2M - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul and Tokyo could claim more than 2 million lives, a U.S. website monitoring Pyongyang said Thursday. The website, 38 North, released the report at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, following North Korea's nuclear and missile tests and the U.S. threat of using its military force. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have also traded bellicose rhetoric, stoking fears of an armed clash on the divided peninsula."

Comment: Longtime observers of international affairs are aware that war games and military estimates going back decades have calculated the loss of life in the millions but it's good that this is starting to become widely known. One of the reasons the "military option" has not been seriously considered by previous administrations is that it is almost unthinkable. It would be tantamount to initiating a third world war on purpose, all to depose a tinpot dictator. There are better options. I hope and pray those options are receiving proper consideration.