The long, hot summer

Another month has passed, and this summer is looking like a real hot one......and I don't mean just the weather!

Could the tension in the Middle East get any worse? Well, if history is an indicator, the answer to that is a resounding "Yes!"

The International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) has finally decided that Iran is not very cooperative with divulging the facts concerning its nuclear program. In fact, in a turnaround that could cause whiplash, they even say that they have blueprints proving Iran has been pursuing how to make a nuclear weapon.

Why the turnaround now?

Israel cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. Iran would surely deploy them against Israel at the first opportunity. The nuclear reactor at Bushehr in southern Iran, under the guidance of Russia, is set to be online before the year's end. In 1981, Israel destroyed a nuclear reactor being built in Iraq, and last year they destroyed one being built in Syria. So, given the history of these things, we could see Israel make the pre-emptive strike on Iran that everyone assumes will come from the US.

Of course the US itself could still go into Iran, and the possibility does seem more and more likely. But there are so many problems involved with an Iranian war. Our armed forces are already stretched thin in Iraq and Afghanistan. Could we see a new draft? Voices clamoring to pull out just get louder and louder. Bush leaves office soon, and the new president would inherit this war. Unless martial law were declared and no election happens...

But all that is speculation, and who can say what will come of this?

Israel's government is in the middle of a major shake-up. Many are calling on Prime Minister Olmert to resign, and for new elections to be held. Now just suppose that someone like Binyamin Netanyahu, a former PM himself, is elected. He is a hardliner against Iran and that would make an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear capabilities much more likely.

Olmert has refused to step down so far, and he is still considering a major operation in the Gaza Strip. A decision that was supposed to come today has been postponed until next week. The meeting will be with Defense Minister Ehud Barak (also a former PM) and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Livni, one of the most-mentioned replacements for Olmert, is herself a former Mossad agent. Mossad is Israel's national intelligence agency. She is also the acting PM because of the corruption investigation of Olmert. She has also said he should step down, and offered to take over control of their political party in his stead. This is so their party can remain in power.

Olmert is also travelling to the US this week to meet with Bush. Given all the back and forth lately between the peace negotiations, there has to be something going on that is top secret.

This is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

The US military has seriously begun to question the allegiance of US-supported paramilitary forces in Pakistan. There are reports that these forces may be aiding Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked rebels along the Afghan/Pakistani border. The accusations have placed future US/Pakistani military cooperation in jeopardy. Pakistan has entered into peace agreements with some of these rebels, including implementing Sharia law in some areas. Pakistan also refuses to allow the US to conduct missions inside it borders, though several have "unofficially" taken place.

The Pakistani government has also been riding a tidal wave of problems in its government. The coalition government agreed to remove President Musharraf from power, but he has not stepped down. The days of US and Pakistani cooperation may swiftly be coming to a close.

Russia is once again flexing its might toward its former Soviet Republics of Georgia and Ukraine. The presidents of Russia and China have both praised their close relationship, mostly as a swipe at the US. Both are involved in major military build-ups. Not looking good, here.

The European Union in, addition to its proposed Union for the Mediterranean, also has proposed a Black Sea Union. This would involve the aforementioned Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia most likely, as well as countries like Romania, Bulgaria (both EU members) and Turkey. Turkey is still trying to join the EU but has been put off many times. If they do not get in, they will most likely turn to the rest of the Muslim world.

This new Black Sea Union would place Turkey and Russia in close cooperation. Now, if both of these nations are part of the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 & 39, then this union could be a big step in that direction.

In the US, the weather continues to be a big puzzle. We are experiencing large numbers of tornadoes, more than normal. Could it be God warning us that He is not pleased?

Our election race has become a war zone. Barack Obama has by almost all counts won the Democratic Party's nomination. He has even focused his attention on Republican John McCain, and not bothered to really campaign anymore against his party opponent Hillary Clinton. The media has done everything except crown Obama the winner. (Don't give them any ideas!)

The Democratic Party finally seated the contested delegates from the Florida and Michigan primaries, and almost no one is happy with the solution: each delegate gets half a vote. This could get very ugly.

Feels like we are in a birth pang moment here. In between the contractions, sweating it out until the next one comes. And knowing that they are coming closer together each time.

1 Thessalonians 5

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Be watchful, and ready!

~Written by Michael McMillan