Keep Watch on the Middle East on an Important Day

Over the weekend things got very interesting in Egypt - a fact that most of the American media simply overlooked and did not report, at least in depth.  Newly installed Egyptian President Muhamed Morsi asked for and received resignations from key members of the SCAF - the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces - including that of General Tantawi, who, since the ouster of former President Mubarak, had been the power in Egypt.  One of the reasons given for this challenge within the power structure of Egypt was the failure of the military to curb the violence within the Sinai Peninsula; a violence that culminated in the deaths of 15 Egyptian security guards and the involvement of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) in stopping the terrorists before they crossed the Egyptian-Israel border. 

Questions remain as to what this change in power will mean for the Egyptian people and more particularly for the Coptic community within Egypt.  As you know, persecution of the Coptic Christian community has increased in recent months with churches being destroyed, pastors and their families being threatened, and beatings of Christians becoming more common.  President Morsi is a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood whose primary purpose is twofold: the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in the world.  Will President Morsi step in to give constitutional protections to the Coptics and other minority groups within Egypt?  It will be interesting to follow the writing of Egypt's new Constitution in the coming weeks.

A further question concerns the role of Egypt with Israel.  In 1979 then President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin signed the Camp David Accords - a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.  Among the stipulations in the treaty was Israel's signing over the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.  (You might remember that the Sinai Peninsula was taken by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War).  In return, Egypt would be at peace with Israel; and it has been a peace that has held for the past 33 years.  During the elections in Egypt this past spring many called for the elimination of the 1979 Peace Accords.  Others invited a review of them.  Just a few days ago, momentum was gained in urging President Morsi to review those Accords.  Israel's northern border with Syria has always been on shaky ground - never been any lasting and meaningful peace initiatives with the Syrians.  Now there is the possibilities of Israel's southern border with Egypt becoming more tenuous.  Friends, Egypt is certainly a country I am keeping my eye on - I hope you are too!

Saber-rattling continues within the corridors of Israel's Knesset.  Many believe that Israel will launch a strike against Iran before America's elections in November.  Several present and former Israeli intelligence officers and military advisers have indicated that Iran is advancing more quickly in its development of nuclear weapons than was first reported and that the window of opportunity to stop this development is getting smaller.  It seems that the financial and economic restraints the West has put upon Iran has only impacted the common people, not the nuclear program.  It is almost as if the Iranian Mullahs are shaking their fists at the West.  What is the attitude among Israelis?  In a news story, featured this past week on the www.jerusalemonline.com news source, many Israelis have lined up to either renew their passports or to obtain passports in the event of a military strike and the subsequent reprisals by Iran.  Gas masks were also being obtained and shelters were being restored and outfitted.  So, at least some of the Israelis believe that an event of some magnitude is imminent. 


But such preparations could also be because of concerns the Israeli leadership have with regard to Syria's many chemical and biological weapons.  Into whose hands would these fall if the Assad regime is toppled?  I read an article that stated that it was imperative that the IDF move into Syria and retrieve these weapons before they fell into the hands of Hezbollah.  So, keep focused on the Middle East.  I think things are getting very interesting there.

Here in America we finally have the identification of the candidates for President and Vice-President.  Romney's pick of Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan underscored the importance the economy and future financial direction for our nation will have in this election.  Already both sides have gotten out the sledge hammers and have begun the attack.  How imperative it will be for all of us in the coming weeks to listen carefully to the debates and speeches and to study carefully the issues at hand.  I believe this election will determine the direction of our nation for the coming decades. 

I want to end on a happier note.  It was 43 years ago today that I stood at the head of the center aisle at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Des Moines, IA, and watched my bride come down that aisle arm-in-arm with her Dad.  Soon that arm was extended to me and I have been holding it ever since.  It was one of those hot, sticky days in Iowa, and literally the candles melted as quickly as they were lit.  The frosting slid off the wedding cake.  The person responsible for recording the service forgot to turn on the recorder.  Two of my groomsmen, who had spent the day at the Iowa State Fair and had eaten too many footlong hotdogs, got sick during the ceremony.  The ring bearer untied the ribbons on the pillow and the rings rolled on the floor.  But, the magic of that evening has remained for the past 43 years.  I have been blessed to have had Marlys as not only my wife, but my friend.  And I pray that God will give us many more incredible years together.