Few would say the Middle East is safer today than it was three years ago at the outset of the “Arab Spring.” The sudden ignition of the Spring, followed by the frothing and boiling upheavals of the “Arab Winter,” may appear in some ways to be simmering down. But just as steam rises from a boiling pot, there are signs that the Middle East is yet to experience more violent repercussions of the Spring. In fact, the region may be about to heat up like never before.

One sign that more trouble is brewing is the revelations from ihs Jane’s Annual Defense Budget. The report was released on February 3, and has some dramatic spending figures in regards to the Middle East.

Four of the five fastest-growing national defense budgets in the world are in the Middle East. The report states that “globally, defense spending is seen inching 0.6 percent higher to $1.547 trillion in 2014, in part thanks to the Middle Eastern contribution, the first increase in five years.”

These militarizing Middle East nations are Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and Bahrain. The United Arab Emirates and Algeria were both in the top ten. All these nations have Islamic influence to one degree or another, and most have been influenced by the violent Arab Winter.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “Oman’s defense budget surged 36 percent to $9.3 billion in 2013 compared to the previous year, while Saudi Arabia boosted its military spending by 19 percent to $42.9 billion in 2013, the largest rise for the kingdom since 2007.”

Since the outset of the Arab Spring, Iran has capitalized on the social and political turmoil stirring in the region to gain influence over other nations through its proxies. An environment where there is chaos is an opportunity for Iran to pursue aggressive foreign policy and expand its region of influence. In response, Saudi Arabia has stepped up. It is seen as the most powerful Arabic force that can stand up to Iran. Ruled by Sunnis, Saudi Arabia has worked to prevent this spread of Iran’s Shiite influence. The most obvious example is in Syria, where Saudi-backed forces are working to overthrow the Iranian-backed government of Bashar Assad.

But the Sunni-Shiite Islamic infighting has been going on for years. Why the sudden spike in military growth? For the Saudis, it is intricately tied to U.S. foreign policy.

First there was the U.S. swooning over newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The press couldn’t get enough of the smooth-talking leader. Then there was President Obama’s back-down in Syria. The president reneged on his promise to intervene, handing the situation over to Assad’s ally, Russia. Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal lashed out: “The current charade of international control over Bashar’s chemical arsenal would be funny if it were not so blatantly perfidious.” By the time President Obama personally phoned the Iranian leader, the message was already sent to the Saudis: America can no longer be trusted to counter Iran. If anything, by giving Iran free reign to do as it wishes, the U.S. is helping Iran in its war of influence over the region.

Little wonder, then, that Saudi Arabia feels the need to boost arms purchases, including obtaining nuclear weapons.

Elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has been relatively unaffected by the “Arab Spring” and has avoided Middle East headlines. With the majority of the population living by the Ibadi form of Islam—neither Sunni or Shiite—the nation has avoided the religious friction. What Oman cannot ignore, however, is its proximity to Iran. It stares directly at the increasingly belligerent Iranians across the waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Once again, the U.S. departure plays a large role in Oman’s military spending. The U.S. was the police force of the Middle East; its departure means there is nobody to keep Iran in check.

Look at the other two nations that have increased military spending. Iraq and Bahrain are both in the middle of a savage tug of war between Sunnis and Shiites. Bahrain has seen plenty of rioting against the Sunni royal family. Iraq has descended into chaotic violence, with large parts of the country being occupied by terrorist groups. Both nations can see the situation spiraling out of control, and feel compelled to fill the void that America has left by raising armies and amassing weapons.

That is why four out of the five fastest-growing defense budgets are in the Middle East.

Terrorism is rising, and U.S. influence is waning. Reports such as that of ihs Jane prove the damaging effects of the U.S. decline. America’s withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan might be a relief to many, and might be hailed as a success by the U.S. government, but the proof is in the budgets. The nations left behind are arming, and many are already fighting.

This trend is hastening the fulfillment of a multitude of prophecies in the Middle East. The king of the south, the Psalm 83 alliance, the fall of half of Jerusalem, the decline of U.S. influence and many more prophecies are all found in your Bible, and they are all coming to pass. The Trumpet offers several free books and booklets that explain many of these prophecies in detail.

Don’t miss the opportunity to understand world events as never before! The Middle East is descending into more violence and the nations are arming, but there are still more prophecies to be fulfilled in the region. After those mentioned above, think of the return of Jesus Christ to the Mount of Olives, the establishment of God’s government on Earth, and the dawn of an age of peace and prosperity. As sure as the current violence is set to increase for a short time, we can be sure God will soon establish peace that will last for eternity!