Of EMPs and Chemical Weapons

There was a very interesting article this morning in Arutz Sheva, the Daily Israel Report from IsraelNationalNews.com.  The headlines were: "Doomsday for Iran? US Tests EMP Bomb."  The article was written by Tzva Ben Gedalyahu.  "Boeing has successfully tested an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) missile that turns 'science fiction into science fact' and could be the doomsday weapon against Iran, but media have largely ignored the development."  The article continues, "The U.S. Air Force and Boeing demonstrated the device more than two months ago over a military site in the Utah desert, reported the VR-Zone technology website.  Boeing did not keep the test a secret, but most mainstream media and technology sites overlooked the report.  The test was named CHAMP - Counter-Electronics High Power Advanced Missile Project and was the first time a real EMP missile has been tested with positive real world results."

What does an EMP device do, you are asking?  The article states, "EMP causes non-lethal gamma energy to react with the magnetic field and produces a powerful electromagnetic shock wave that can destroy electronic devices."  According to the article, the Utah test was successful in that video cameras showed images of numerous desktop computers running and then suddenly all of them go out quickly followed by the camera going black. 

What is the significance of this little article tucked away in an Israeli online paper?  Reports had circulated for years of the possibilities of using an EMP device to create targeted damage through the destruction of the electrical grids.  Now possibilities have become realities.  Just think, for a moment, of the damage an exploded EMP would create over a city the size of New York.  All of the power would be destroyed.  No lights.  No traffic signals.  No subways.  No automobiles (don't forget the heart of modern cars is a sophisticated electronics system).  No telecommunications.  The result would truly be chaos and anarchy as everyone would be in survival mode.  In literature about EMPs the little phrase, "back to the dark ages" is often used.  Now we know that that can in fact happen. 

Should we be concerned?  Absolutely.  If the United States has this technology, it is almost assured that other nations are developing it as well.  Could it be possible that Iran is working on EMP alongside of its nuclear program?  Most assuredly.  We know it is developing a more sophisticated long-range missile system, including satellite launchings, that could be used as a delivery system both for a nuclear and EMP bomb. 

I don't want to be an alarmist, but just thought you should know.  The fiction of yesterday is now the reality of today.

Are you following the events in Egypt?  Lots of unrest in Cairo and beyond.  The proposed Constitution is scheduled for a popular referendum on December 15th.  Will the people approve this return to Islamic rule by the Muslim Brotherhood and President Morsi?  I guess that will depend upon how intimidated the people are by the MB.  There just might be another "Arab Spring - the Sequel" on the horizon.

And Israel's response to the United Nations General Assembly vote to recognize the Palestinian Authority as a non-member observer state has aroused international concern.  Several nations either have threatened to recall their ambassadors or have done so in response to Israel's decision to proceed with the construction of 3,000 housing units around Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria (also known as the West Bank).  But, according to Israeli sources, these units will be built on land that would not be included in any land given to the PA as part of a two-state solution.  Stay tuned, this one might get very interesting.

And then there is the threat that the beleaguered Syrian President Assad might use chemical weapons against the rebels within his country.  This brings alarm to Turkey and Israel especially.  NATO has agreed to send Patriot missile batteries to Turkey's border with Syria.  And you know that Israeli forces are on high alert along the Golan Heights.  Will NATO step in if chemical weapons are deployed?  Another unfinished story.

Jesus told His disciples as they sat overlooking the temple and its glory, that in the end of the age there would be "wars and rumors of war."  The rumors are spreading quickly these days.  Perhaps as we celebrate Christ's first Advent, He will honor us with His second.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.