Anything Happening of Importance?

Yesterday the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released its report on the Iranian nuclear project. The conclusion to the report stated: "After assessing carefully and critically the extensive information available to it, the agency finds the information to be, overall, credible. This information indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device." This has been the contention held by most of the western world leaders since Iranian President Ahmadinejad announced that Iran was developing a nuclear capability back in 2005. Of course he indicated that it would be for the generation of electricity, but the world had strong suspicions.

According to one US based report, Iran presently has enough low-enriched uranium (LEU) to create four nuclear warheads. And we know that Iran has already developed a more sophisticated missile arsenal to deliver those potential warheads to Israel and into southern Europe. And with their recent threat to have Iranian ships patrolling international waters off America's east coast, one can imagine what might happen if one of those ships carried a missile armed with a nuclear device.

Last week, prior to the IAEA's report, Israel successfully tested its newest long-range ballistic missile, code-named Jericho 3. It has an effective range of over 4600 miles and is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. Also, last week, we learned that the Israel Air Force (IAF) had participated in some NATO-led military exercises over the skies of Italy, and then had invited both the Italian and Greek air forces to practice over the skies of Israel. Immediately speculation was raised that these exercises were a precursor to a NATO strike against Iran. The validity of that speculation is yet to be seen.

We have now entered the most dangerous phase of this "cat and mouse" game. Iran has the capabilities of instantly closing the Straits of Hormuz driving up the price of oil by shutting off all export from the Persian Gulf. High priced oil could topple a world economy that is perilously close to plunging off the cliff. Yet a rogue Iranian government, possessing several nuclear warheads, is a threat to not only the security in the Middle East, but to the rest of the world. Will the nations of the free-world step to in prevent that from happening? What would be the response of the Russians and Chinese who have strong alliances with Iran? Will Israel act alone? Stay tuned as I believe these questions might soon be answered.

One final thought. Friday the United Nations Security Council has scheduled a vote to grant a declaration of statehood to the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, in today's edition of Arutz Sheva, IsraelInternationalNews.com, a report stated that PA Foreign Minister Riad Malki told Associated Press, "It is clear now, with the U.S. counter effort and intervention, that we are not going to have these nine votes." Even the sub-committee that was appointed to examine the bid introduced by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in September, was deadlocked in whether to accept or reject the application. In all likelihood, the request will be rejected because the nine votes will not be secured. This certainly gets the United States out of a precarious position. It had promised to veto any resolution granting statehood, but that would have greatly angered an already anti-American Arab world. If the votes had been present and the United States would have abstained, then Israel would have been left hanging over the edge.

Perhaps that last statement has little relevance in the light of the comment President Obama made in response to a off-hand remark from French President Sarkozy at last week's G-20 summit in Cannes, France. Sarkozy, thinking his microphone was silenced, said concerning Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, "I cannot stand him. He is a liar." To which, President Obama replied, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day." The Anti-Defamation League issued this statement: "President Obama's response to Mr. Sarkozy implies that he agrees with the French leader. In light of the revelations here, we hope that the Obama administration will do everything it can to reassure Israel that the relationship remains on a sure footing and to reinvigorate the trust between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, which clearly is not what it should be."

And so the world continues to implode. I don't have time to write about the new economic crisis in Europe that caused the DOW to plunge nearly 400 points today. Italy is the new crisis nation, and from what I have read, their crisis makes the Greek crisis look small. Could be a rocky week in the markets.

Hey, keep looking up. Someday soon we will be gathered to be with Jesus in a world that knows no crises. Praise God!