The dominoes in the Middle East are beginning to tumble - one after the other. What began a few weeks ago in Tunisia over escalating food prices and unemployment has led to the toppling of two long-termed regimes inTunisia and most recently in Egypt. Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak clung to the reigns of power until his strength waned under the continued pressures of the people's revolt. With the Egyptian military now in control, the Egyptian people have traded a few freedoms for no freedoms in the hopes that they might have many freedoms. Will this gamble work? The answer will be known in September, if not before.
Now uprisings are threatening the autocratic governments in Yemen, Bahrain, and Libya. The situation in Yemen is of utmost concern. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, holding the reigns of power for 32 years, and is known for friendly dispositions toward the United States and the West, teeters on the brink of collapse. The nation of Yemen is already embroiled in two civil wars and has become a stronghold for Al Qaeda. If the government collapses, most analysts believe that a radical Islamic faction will take control, thus imposing a serious threat to the West and to Israel.
Yesterday, riots began in Libya, the playground of Moammar Gadhafi since 1969. Will the people be successful there as they were in Egypt? Gadhafi has been one of the strongest dictators in the region. Since being in power, he has built strong ties with the Russians. You are asking me, why is Libya important? It is the biblical nation of Put, mentioned in Ezekiel 38 - part of the coalition with Russia and the invasion of Israel.
Bahrain, one of the wealthiest Arab Gulf States, has been ruled by one family since 1820 - the Al Khalifa royal family. Other nations embroiled in uprisings by their citizens include Algeria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Reported this morning by IsraelNationalNews.com, former Lebanese Prime Minisgter Saad Hariri is planning a mass rally in Beirut on March 14. His goal is to have one million demonstrators rallying against Hezbollah.
Even the Palestinian Authority has not been immune to the protests. This past week, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad submitted his resignation to President Abbas. The entire Cabinet in Ramallah resigned. A new government has been formed with Fayyad still acting as Prime Minister. President Abbas has called for new elections, no later than September,but already Hamas has said they would not participate in those elections.
One almost needs a map in front of him to keep up with the current activities in the Middle East. So, what are we to make of these events? Will the democracy that is looming large over the Middle East be realized? Lingering among the shadows is the ever-present Muslim Brotherhood and other radical Islamic sects. These people have a history of being opportunistic and they know when to demonstrate their presence. In the meanwhile, we are seeing God's hand at work. Israel must be in a position of safety before Russia, Iran, Libya, and others invade, seeking the mineral and petroleum reserves there in Israel. Israel is hardly in such a position today. Another war with her neighbors is inevitable. Perhaps God is using these events to align those nations for His purpose - their grand defeat.
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Yes they are falling. When the U.S. invaded Iraq, ONE of the reasons mentioned for the invasion was to see if we could start the region moving towards democracy. Be careful what you wish for!!
I agree that all these players are being set up and primed for God to ultimately take them down as they rise against Israel.
To God be the Glory!
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