Of Tunisia, Russia and the Middle East

I was engaged in a conversation a few days ago and I asked, "What do you think about what is happening in Tunisia?" The people I was with got that "deer in the headlight" look. Some had no idea where Tunisia was on the map. Yes, it is a country that has flown under the radar screen of many of us since 1987 when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali came to power in a bloodless coup that removed the founder of modern-day Tunisia. Ben Ali has ruled Tunisia ever since.

He was a very corrupt dictator lavishing himself and his family while the people he supposedly served became entrenched in abject poverty. The Europeans knew what was happening in Tunisia but turned their heads and pretended not to see the corruption. Shortly before Christmas, a young Tunisian college-educated street vendor burned himself to death after Tunisian police had confiscated his vending cart. Without his cart he had no means of employment and so committed suicide. That led to initial protests, first against unemployment, but later against government corruption. Leaked documents from the American embassy in Tunis, intercepted by Wikileaks, became public and a nation-wide revolt occurred.

Over this past weekend, President Ben Ali fled the country to Saudi Arabia. According to published reports, interim president Foued Mebazaa has promised a "total break" from the past actions of the government and has committed himself to a more democratic rule.

"So, what is the story?" you are asking. "Why should I be interested, let alone concerned?" There is a great fear among many totalitarian Arab states that what has happened in Tunisia might advance into other parts of the Arab world. We know that many of the Arab leaders operate under at least the suspicion of corruption, if not actually being corrupt. Just today, a protester was arrested in Saudi Arabia. Fears also have been expressed in Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Jordan. Even the leaders of Hamas have voiced concerns. Is there a biblical role for this type of revolt? I am not sure, but it does fascinate me. I will keep you posted.

One other part of the world to keep your eye on is Russia and its growing influence in the Middle East. Russian President Medvedev is touring the Middle East - of course he is not visiting Israel. Yesterday he was in Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Authority. Although not officially stating that he would recognize a Palestinian State, he nonetheless indicated that he would give it consideration. A Russian recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian State would be significant. Friends, the Russian bear is stirring. Could Ezekiel's War be taking shape?

There is always something exciting happening these days. God certainly is not silent; neither should we be.