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Middle East Situation Report:

Situation Grave For Israel

 

 

(A-O Newswire) -- The Arab Spring has unleashed a tsunami of change throughout the Middle East that affects not only the world, but appears to be another step towards a final setup leading to the Great Tribulation and the fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The events of the last 8 months has put Israel into a corner, surrounded on 3 sides by resurgence of extreme hostility and threats not seen since 1948 when Israel became a nation. We consider the conditions prior to the wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973 to have been less severe in threats to Israel's security than is now the case. Why? In the previous wars, the Palestinians were not armed into armed fighting forces mingled with organized terrorism which is hard to defend against by traditional armed forces.

Today, Israel finds itself hemmed in by hostile elements from Egypt, which is showing increasing signs of an impending takeover by radical Islamists bent on wiping the Jews from Israel. With each passing week, Islamic radicals are growing increasingly stronger in Egypt, thanks to the growth of the radical, Muslim Brotherhood. The situation in Egypt has been underscored by the recent attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo.

On Israel's northern flank, the Lebanese government has been effectively taken over by the radical Islamists - Hezbollah. Joining Hezbollah on the northern flank is Syria, a nation that has fought 4 previous wars with Israel.

To the east, the Jordanian government of King Abdullah has grown increasingly hostile towards Israel in large measure as a reasponse the the Arab Spring events and the growth of radical Islamists in Jordan. Of course, there is a large chunk of Palestinians living in Jordan who are being into both Hamas and Fatah for a future war with Israel. The West Bank is now seething with hostility and an underground terror force, just waiting to unleash guerilla warfare against Israel during the "next" war.

Then of course there are now outlying nations ready to do battle with Israel. Leading that group of nations is of course, Iran with its stated desires of seeing Israel wiped off the face of the earth. Joining Iran's clamor for Israel's destruction is Al Qaeda, the Taliban, elements of the Pakistan military. Iraqi leaders are also likely to join in any war against Israel.

Perhaps the biggest suprise of late in the world of anti-Israel hostility is the nation of Turkey. Once upon a time, Turkey was an almost, "near-ally" with Israel. A once close relationship between Turkey and Israel ended when radical Islamists took control of Turkey earlier in the last decade. Slowly. the Islamic radical politicians have weeded out military brass that favored Israel. The Turkish military brass that favored Israel are now out of power; replaced by radicals opposed to Israel. Since the Gaza Flotilla incident last year, Turkey has become increasingly hostile towards Israel, culminating in the last few days with a cut in diplomatic relations.

New developments this past weekend reveal a visit by Turkey's Prime Minister to Egypt to discuss new military agreements. Already the two nations have agreed to conduct joint naval maneuvers in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea later this year.

What's worse for Israel has been the shock of Turkish leaders threatening to go to war against Israel over Gaza Aid and Turkish threats againt Israel's newly discovered oil and natural gas fields located off the coastline of Israel.

Turkey now seeks to become active in an alliance of nations that match the prophecies of Ezekiel's "Magog Confederation." Up until World War 2, the prevailing view of eschatologists was that the Magog nation was Turkey.

Since WW2, many conservative eschatologists within Christianity have guessed that Magog was the Soviet Union, until its collapse and then replaced by Russia. However, an alternate theory has been held by some Israeli rabbis who cite ancient rabbinical writings indicating that Iran is in fact the Magog nation. These rabbis cite ancient rabbinical writers who wrote down the comments of Ezekiel's assistants who conveyed to future generations that Ezekiel had told them that Magog was the land that is now eastern Iran, western Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ezekiel's remarks to has assistants indicated that in the latter days, the people living in that area would be the Magogites who form a confederation for war against Israel.

The concept of Russian involvement in a Magog confederation has suddenly come into play in the past week as Iranian leaders are reported to be in secret talks with the Russians to form a military alliance with Iran. Should such an alliance take place, Russia could well become part of the Magog war, but we do not see Russia as the "Magog" nationl, per se. We see either Iran or Turkey as fulfilling that role. This is particularly so, now that Turkish leaders have brought forward the issue of Israel's claim to oil and gas fields off its coastline in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Turkish challenge to Israel's new oil and gas fields suggests a correlation to the Ezekiel prophecies which indicate the motive for Magog's attack on Israel is related to financial gain - i.e. "spoils" as stated in Ezekiel chapter 38:12-13. Perhaps  the richest prize in any conquest of Israel would be the oil and gas fields off of the Israeli coastline.

Another piece of the Magog Confederation puzzle involves Libya. Dictator Gadaffi has always been reluctant to militarily provoke Israel. With the Libyan civil war seemingly over and Gadaffi gone from power, we see that the rebels are radical Islamists also bent on destroying Israel. As they solidify power, we see them as willing accomplices to sending troops to fight Israel. Thus another piece of the Magog war puzzle is falling into place.

We could be very, very close now, to a military conflict that might well become the prophetic fulfillment of Ezekiel's Magog War prophecies. As Believers, we need to be alert for further prophetic developments in the coming days and weeks ahead.

 

Turkey-Israeli Relations Worsen

The 2010 Gaza Aid Flotilla incident continues to have repercussions on Turkish-Israeli relations. Turkey continues to blame Israel for the deaths involved in that incident, despite a UN commission finding, which absolved Israel of guilt, citing Israel’s right to self-defense. That commission finding infuriated the Turkish government and prompted Turkey to sever diplomatic relations at a time when the two nations had been trying to patch up their differences.

Prior to the diplomatic rift at the end of August, Turkey and Israel were working together on a plan to resolve the Syrian Revolution and remove Syrian President Assad from power. The downgrading of diplomatic relations put an end to such cooperation. Turkish desires to interject its power into the Syrian situation have left Turkey with the only option of turning to the United States and NATO along with Saudi Arabia and the oil sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf for joint military assistance in dealing with Syria’s Assad.

Last  Thursday, (9/8) some Israeli government sources were reported to have concluded that the Turkish Prime Minister seemed to have “lost his senses.” To many within the Israeli government, it appears that the Turkish Prime Minister is determined to draf Israel into some sort of diplomatic or military conflict,

Israeli government officials are pinning their hopes on NATO to disapprove of Turkey’s latest actions against Israel. The hope in Jerusalem is that all of this will eventually blow over and go away.

Even so, the Turkish Prime Minister announced that Turkish warships will escort future Gaza Aid flotilla’s and if necessary, engage Israeli warships in combat in order to provide safe escort of the flotilla to the Gaza Strip.

Some intelligence analysts have concluded that the Turkish government is determined to box Israel into a corner from which Israel cannot escape a military confrontation. The Turkish leaders are thought to be desiring such a conflict led by Turkey instead of by Iran or Syria. Analysts conclude that such a conflict is not necessarily imminent, but believe that sooner or later, Turkey will trigger some sort of armed conflict with Israel in order to establish Turkey as the primary Islamic leader in the region that will eventually lead to an Islamic caliphate much like the old Ottoman Empire.

 

Israel Signs Security Agreement with Greece

In the wake of escalating tensions with Turkey, Israeli leaders have turned to Turkey’s ancient enemy, Greece for economic and military cooperation. Last week, Israel signed a security agreement with Greece which further angered the Turks. Should military conflict arise between Turkey and Israel, Greece will provide military cooperation and support to Israel.

The Syrian Crisis

After severing cooperation with Israel, Turkey has turned to the United States and NATO for help in dealing with creating regime-change in Syria. Turkey has also reportedly worked out arrangements for joint cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council for future limited military operations against Syria.

From various sources, we’ve learned that a plan has been prepared for a limited, military intervention against the Syrian regime, somewhat similar to Libya but without direct military involvement of the U.S. and NATO unless Iran intervenes on the side of Syria.

Military intervention in Syria will involve the use of Turkish troops making an incursion into northern Syria to establish a rebel sanctuary for Syrian rebels.  Once that sanctuary is established, the United States and NATO will provide weapons, ammunition, food, water and supplies to the rebels. Turkey will provide some limited training in the use of weaponry and battle tactics within the sanctuary. The rebels will then be able to mount a civil war that will result in President Assad’s removal from power.

The Saudis and its allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will bring troops northward, through Jordan (with Jordanian cooperation) and invade a portion of southeastern Syria with the same objective as the Turkish campaign in the north. Once a southern sanctuary has been established, Syrian rebels will receive weapons, ammunition, food, water and supplies as well as training and coordinate their efforts with Syrian rebels in the north to eventually take down the Syrian military and President Assad.

The entire project is expected to take six to twelve months to achieve regime change in Damascus. This plan will come as no surprise to Assad as he was informed by Turk and Saudi diplomats who traveled to Damascus to relay to Assad that military intervention would be forthcoming if Assad’s military crackdown continued into September.

After learning of the intentions of this coalition, Assad relayed the information to Iranian leaders who have a formal defense treaty with Syria. The Iranian regime responded with a pledge to intervene. That pledge was also relayed through diplomatic channels to all parties concerned.

Iranian leaders threatened to counter-attack military bases and cities of any nation involved in efforts to create regime-change in Damascus. The counter-attack would involve the use of hundreds of ballistic missiles launched not only at Turkey and GCC nations but also Israel and U.S. military installations within range of Iran’s ballistic missiles. Iranian leaders bluntly warned that they would wipe Israel off the map under such a scenario.

Anticipating such a response, the United States had previously arranged to deploy U.S. anti-missile-missile batteries in Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other GCC nations around the Persian Gulf, as well as inside Iraq and Afghanistan.

Additionally, US Navy warships with such anti-missile-missile capabilities have been deployed in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea for additional protection. Additional U.S. naval assets have been deployed to the region including amphibious carriers should  the need arise for U.S. Marines to protect against  Iranian invasion along the shores of the Persian Gulf. There are also about 50,000 US troops remaining in Iraq should the need arise to defend Iraq from an Iranian invasion.

Using diplomatic back-channels, the Obama Administration reportedly conveyed to Tehran the threat of not only defending Turkey and the GCC but also threatened to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities by all means necessary. Iran was informed that the use of any type of WMD by Iran would result in a U.S. nuclear strike.

The U.S. warning prompted Iran to turn to Russia for support.

Keep in mind, that prior planning for such a military venture included consultation with Russia’s President Medvedev. A prior deal had been reached between Obama and Medvedev concerning Libya and Syria for the Russians to use their influence to put a stop to the carnage in both nations.

The Russians were promised equal commercial opportunities with each nation and that the U.S. would not attempt to capitalize on the regime change to enhance American military power in the region. Medvedev reportedly agreed to the deal. However, Prime Minister Putin was either not consulted or changed his mind afterwards.

We understand this now, because the Iranians announced plans for a join Aerial War Exercise was an undisclosed neighboring nation and word that Iran is negotiating with another neighboring nation for a new strategic alliance and defense treaty.

As September began, rumors circulated around the Mideast capitals that Iran would be invited to join the Shanghai Council. Such a move would provide a defense alliance for Iran with both Russia and China.

As a result, the Obama Administration, NATO, Turkey and the GCC have decided to re-evaluate their plans and weight the consequences of starting a military venture in Syria that might trigger a World War that bring Russia and China into the conflict. At the moment, we understand the Obama Administration is backing away from the idea of a limited, military intervention. If this is true, and we suspect it is, then we also anticipate President Obama will choose to do nothing. Turkey and the GCC would be left to decide for themselves, but facing the threat of a Russian-Chinese alliance with Iran, Turkey and the GCC would not likely put themselves to the test of Iranian resolve on Syria.

Meanwhile…

Syrian President Assad has ordered his military chiefs to get set to launch their biggest operation they have ever staged to once and for all destroy the protest movement bedeviling his regime for six months
Almost the entire Syrian army has been ordered to pull out from the Israeli border and cooperate in a coordinated campaign to once-and-for-all destroy the political opposition forces in a swift operation.

Israel Left Twisting in the Wind

Meanwhile, on September 20, the Palestinians will tender a request to the UN General Assembly for statehood. Rumors have been flying around the Mideast that Israeli leaders were contemplating s sneak attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities as a way to create a counter-diversion to the Palestinian petition for statehood. Given the rumors of an alliance with Russia and China, it now seems unlikely that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would order such an action.

 

Palestinian’s Push for UN Statehood

The Obama Administration has done all it can to twist the Palestinian’s arms to forego petitioning the UN for statehood later this month. Behind closed doors, the White House and State Department had threatened to pull American aid and would urge other nations to do likewise. Even so, the threats have not deterred Palestinian leaders from their plans, at least, not yet.

Libya’s Gadaffi is “done for.”

With each passing day, more of the Libyan dictator’s staff and government officials are reported to be leaving the country. Even Gadaffi’s own tribal elders have begun to disown him. As we post this, a news report states that rebel forces claim to have cornered and surrounded their former dictator and have ordered him to surrender or be killed. 

Libya to Become a Radical Islamic Nation

Intelligence analysts specializing in Libyan affairs report that rebel leaders intend to create a radical, Islamic state, but it is unclear as to whether or not it would be modeled after Iran’s form of government.
Elements of Al Qaeda played key leadership roles during the six month civil war, along with elements of the Muslim Brotherhood.  The only thing that seems clear is that any Islamic government would be linked to the Sunni sect within Islam instead of the Shia sect.

With this in mind, we recall Ezekiel’s prophecies of the Magog war yet to come and are reminded that Libya is listed as one of the allied nations joining in the Magog Confederation.

Iran Seeks New Alliances

Russia Signals Possible Alliance

There are newly emerging indications that Iran is seeking security alliances with nations such as Russia, China and India as a counter-weight to a possible war against the United States, Europe and Israel.
Iranian and Russian officials have already agreed to develop new levels of cooperation involving security and defense issues. Both nations have agreed to share intelligence gathering information involving potential threats to the sovereignty of each nation.

In addition to the bi-lateral arrangements, Russian leaders have agreed to sponsor Iran’s membership into the 6-nation “Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” which includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Iran has already developed extensive military weapons cooperation with China - trading oil for weapons and sophisticated weapon’s technology. Iran is also seeking out India as another potential ally in any war with the West.  We may be witnessing the final stage of development for Ezekiel’s Magog in recruiting its final scripted alliance to fulfill Ezekiel’s prophecy.

 

Iran To Hold Air Combat Drills

With Unnamed Ally

Iran ‘s Air Force has announced it will hold a new round of air-combat war games during September. The simple announcement though comes with a twist. Intelligence reports indicate  that the drills will involve an unnamed allied nation that shares a border with Iran. Some analyst s speculate that the drills will involve Russian Air Force jets. We cannot confirm such speculation and we would anticipate that, if any nation were to join Iranian pilots it would by the Syrian  pilots since the two nations have alliances and Syria is under the gun by NATO forces for its violent campaign to halt a revolution.

 

Conclusion:

The situation in the Middle East is very, very tense at the moment. The slightest little incendiary spark could ignite a military clash that mushrooms out of control to engulf the entire region if not a global war. We could well be on the verge of the Magog War within days, weeks or months ahead.  This seems to be on the Illuminist agenda, yet it can only happen if God deems it prophetically appropriate and within God’s own timeline. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted on further developments as warranted.

 

 

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