It has been an interesting week watching and listening to the world's leaders as they have come and addressed the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. Each leader has come and basically trumpeted the achievements of his or her country and leveled accusations at those nations who have not agreed with them. I found it very interesting that both President Obama and Russian President Putin shared speeches on the same day. As I read their speeches, these leaders could not have been more opposite. Just from a casual observer's perspective, it seemed that the Russian President came with a feeling of confidence. Yes, there have been the problems with Ukraine, but Putin has been seen as the one who could solve the problems in Syria. Now, personally, I don't trust Putin at all, and, if you remember, I have often said that he is one of the most dangerous men in the world. Yet he is willing to lead, or at least give the perception of leading. His speech almost had the air of confidence. On the other hand, President Obama pretty much said the same thing he said last year. He promised that America would show its determination with its military power, but most of the world knows that our President, over the course of his presidency, has done more to weaken our military than any of his predecessors. He has made promises before - like his infamous "red line" with the Syrians - but has not followed through. Is his just an empty rhetoric? America may claim to still be the greatest nation on earth - and, from many perspectives, I would agree with that - but I wonder if much of the world still sees us in that light?
Speaking of Putin, the following article from the Jerusalem Post presents some anxious moments if you are an Israeli leaders. The article, published on September 29, reads in part: "Following a 90-minute meeting on Monday with US President Barack Obama on the conflict in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was concerned with Israel's Sunday strike on Syria, that was prompted by cross-border fire originating from Syrian army positions. 'We respect Israel's interests related to the Syrian civil war but we are concerned about its attacks on Syria,' Putin said, according to Army Radio. The Syrian projectile exploded in an unpopulated area of the northern Golan Heights, causing no injuries or damage. ... Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Syrian civil war battles were behind the stray fire into Israel on Saturday and Sunday. 'From our perspective this is a violation of sovereignty and a crossing of a red line. The State of Israel has no intention of ignoring such incidents, and the IDF therefore attacked two Syrian army artillery positions this evening,' Ya'alon said. 'We view the Syrian regime and its army as being responsible for what happens in their territory and we will not be tolerant in cases such as these,' the defense minister said."
What makes this statement by Putin so alarming is the fact that Russia is now sending military forces to assist the Assad regime in its battle against ISIS in Syria. Russian forces could soon, literally, be on the doorsteps of Israel in their role to assist Assad. Can anyone say Ezekiel 38-39? But, there is another grave concern if you are an Israeli leader.
Again, another article from the same September 29 issue of the Jerusalem Post. "Likud Minister Steinitz says Israel will make it clear to US, Russia and other world powers that Iranian forces must not be allowed to mass on Israel's border. Israel is concerned with the build-up of Iranian forces in Syria, near the border with Israel, National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said in an interview with Army Radio on Tuesday. Steinitz's comments came amid the recent addition of Russian troops to Syria to bolster President Bashar Assad in his fight against Islamic State and other rebel groups challenging his rule in Syria. However, the Likud minister was more concerned with the infusion of troops from Assad's other central backer, Iran. 'Nobody wants to see Russian forces in the area of the Golan Heights, but we definitely don't want to see Iranian forces near Israel,' Steinitz told Army Radio."
The article continued, "A senior Israeli security source said earlier this month that an Iranian Islamic Republican Guards Corp force, comprised of hundreds of soldiers, recently entered Syria to assist the embattled Assad regime. Tehran dispatched its force 'in light of Assad's' ongoing distress, the source stated, adding that the deployment is part of a wider Russian-Iranian coordinated effort to prevent what remains of the Assad regime from collapsing."
So, there you have it: both Russian and Iranian forces are now in Syria. We know that both brought sophisticated weapons with them. One can understand why Israeli leaders are nervous. I am confident that tomorrow when it is his turn to address the General Assembly, Prime Minister Netanyahu will address these concerns in a very powerful way. The thought of Iranian forces near their border with Syria, coupled with the recently signed Iranian Nuclear Pact, causes the Iranians to be even more threatening to the welfare of Israel. Yet, we know that God's hand is behind all these actions. He is orchestrating the players and the play. And, we know how the story will end.
Let me close by just mentioning the leadership change in the House of Representatives with the announced retirement of Speaker Boehner. I must admit that I have been one who has been critical of his leadership these past few years. A lot of promises were made, but still remain on the table. Boehner is a nice guy - I wouldn't mind living next door to him. But, as with many in Washington today, he was out of touch with the common people. He had bought into the power that is Washington. After being in Washington for 25 years, he failed to hear what the common people were saying which was "we don't want things to continue as they have." It is now time for someone to boldly step forward and lead boldly - not that he will get everything that the people want, but that he will demonstrate that he is not afraid to take a stand. Can such a person be found? I guess we will wait to find out. By the way, I believe the success to date of the candidacies of Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Carli Fiorina, and also of a Bernie Sanders, is testimony to the deep-seated distrust the American public has with professional politicians. The election of 2016 could prove to be an very interesting one. Stay tuned.
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