On November 24, a Turkish F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian SU-24 fighter jet near the Syrian-Turkish border. It marks the first time a nato-member aircraft has downed a Russian aircraft in decades. This has created strong tensions between nato and Russia. It puts individual national interests in direct conflict with Russia against the collective security of nato.

It also adds another layer of complexity to the fog of war drifting over the Middle East.

For the past year, nato has opposed Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. However, many nato members are seeking Russian military support to fight the Islamic State. Russia, the United States and major European nations have all been working to dismantle the Islamic State, especially after the Paris attacks. France and Russia recently have been operating in airstrike-support roles against the Islamic State. At the same time, Russia and Iran have deployed troops and aircraft to help Syrian President Bashar Assad retain power in the Syrian civil war. Conversely, the U.S. has been supporting moderate rebels seeking to overthrow Assad. Throw into the mix the Islamic State, which has been actively fighting Assad’s forces but is not allied with the rebels. Meanwhile, Turkey has been seeking to draw closer to Europe, opposing Assad and the Islamic State. Russia and Iran have made many military agreements in the aftermath of Iran’s nuclear deal with the U.S., which sought to limit Iran’s ability to create a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia and many other Sunni states are actively resisting the Iranian sprawl in the region, while also fighting against the Islamic State. Oh yeah, and Iran is also fighting against the Islamic State.

That is one tangled web of allies and enemies.

The Fog of War

The two major players in the arena—the U.S. and Russia—are aligned in their intent to defeat the Islamic State but are also fighting against one another in a proxy war in Syria. The Islamic State is fighting against everyone, having no allies, and incurring the wrath of the entire world. Iran has a strong military and economic relationship with Russia, while toting a new nuclear agreement with a conciliatory United States. Israel and Saudi Arabia seem to be unlikely partners in their public and vehement opposition to Iranian expansionism and nuclear capability. Europe is working with both the U.S. and Russia, but not committing to any substantial military involvement.

This highly volatile and fluid situation will continue to lend itself to escalating tensions and to greater amounts of military involvement by major powers. Unless the present configuration is changed, no cause or nation will reach its objectives. Iran and the Islamic State do not have the capability, by themselves, of reaching world dominance and destroying the West. In fact, the harder they use terrorism campaigns against Europe and America, the faster their downfall will commence. Russia, the U.S. and Europe have not invested the resources to make a decisive difference in any conflict. Unless there is more coordination of efforts, the wars will drag on for years.

This moment in history is most significant because it could mark the greatest change to the Middle East since 1918. The Ottoman Empire controlled the Middle East for centuries, providing stability, if nothing else, to the region. During World War i, Britain wrested away control of the Middle East from the Ottoman Empire, which then vanished into the pages of history. British military officer Thomas E. Lawrence led an Arab Nationalist uprising that worked in conjunction with the British Army. Under the framework of the Balfour Declaration and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the borders of the modern Middle East were essentially created. For a hundred years, leadership in the Middle East was British, and now American. However, that leadership is up for grabs. For the first time in a century, we could see a dramatic change in the broker of power in that region. The political borders are being redrawn, and nations like Iran are beginning to impose their own hegemony.

Should we care if another nation gains control of the Middle East? It is so far away from America, that it might seem logical for another power to control it; maybe even the Arabs and Muslims themselves. That might seem ideal, but that it is also naive. While many Middle East countries may be peaceful with the West, history shows that extremism would prevail. Nations like Iran and terrorist groups like the Islamic State would continue to thrive unless suppressed on the spot. We cannot risk such detachment in the nuclear age.

The Middle East is the crossroads of empires—it is the key region to the flow of trade and guaranteeing the security of the West. To not have the influence to guide the political development in that region would be a foolish gamble. Strategically it is too important to remain autonomous; it will be occupied either by the West or our enemies.

This complex, violent moment in the Middle East is the perfect opportunity for another power to change the status quo and seize dominance in the region. But there seems to be no clear front-runner nor a morally sound champion among the local combatants.

There will be plenty of theories on this subject, and the situation will be changing rapidly. Thankfully Bible prophecy makes the future plain. This complex situation becomes simple once the authority of the Bible is applied to what is to come in the days ahead.

The Simplicity of Prophecy

Daniel 11 is the main prophetic vision that sheds light on the future of the Middle East. It speaks of two major power blocs in the end time: the king of the north and the king of the south. Historically these were two of the four divisions of the Diadochi, the Seleucid Empire being the king of the north, and the Ptolemaic Empire being the king of the south. Daniel 11:1-39 cover the many campaigns that occurred anciently.

Verse 40 transitions to end-time events. In this context, the king of the north is a European superpower. The king of the south is radical Islam led by Iran. (Please request our free booklet The King of the South if you would like to study more into the identity of Iran.) Verses 40-43 state:

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

This is the key prophecy to understanding the future of the Middle East. There are three elements to these scriptures that are essential to grasp to know where the current situation is leading.

1.) Iran will push at Europe.

This push referred to in verse 40 refers to an aggressive foreign policy led by Iran against Europe. Iran’s goal is the destruction of not only Western society but of all civilization, so there can be a worldwide Islamic empire. Iran has a clear imperial agenda to gain control of other foreign capitals in strategic locations. The primary weapons Iran uses are terrorism and supporting proxies in other nations.

The world’s attention is focused on the Islamic State. However, Bible prophecy refers to a radical Islamic power bloc led by Iran. As prominent as the Islamic State is in world news, it is only a distraction from the larger threat. While the Islamic State is dangerous, and its capability is not to be underestimated, a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic.

The Bible shows that Iran will be the dominant power. The Islamic State will probably reach its demise soon since a competing Sunni power is not mentioned. Islamic State terrorists will most likely be absorbed into the Iranian orbit. As monstrous as the November 13 attacks in Paris were, damage from Iranian terrorism could be deadly to Europe. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in The King of the South: “The king of the south is going to push at the king of the north, probably from its trade-route power. That push will be a dramatic act of war! The Holy Roman Empire will respond with an all-out whirlwind attack—and Iran and radical Islam will fall immediately.”

2.) Europe attacks like a whirlwind.

Europe seems to be crumbling. The financial and migrant crises seem to be pulling Europe apart. But Europe will be the king of the north, a superpower made up of 10 kings and led by Germany. Dozens of Bible prophecies forecast the rise of another Holy Roman Empire in Europe. Please read our book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy for a full explanation.

Daniel 11:40 explains Europe’s military response against the push from Iran. This will be a swift, destructive strike that will completely neutralize radical Islam. This Blitzkrieg strategy is like an all-encompassing whirlwind, an attack from multiple fronts. Although the U.S. and Russia seem to have the most military assets in the Middle East, Europe will come to dominate the region.

3.) Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia will be allied with Iran.

Daniel 11 also brings out that the three nations of Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia will be in league with Iran and part of the king of the south. These will also be conquered by Europe, either directly or will submit once Iran is defeated. Watch for all three of these nations to fall victim to radical Islam. Watch for both the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to be controlled by Iran.

Mysterious Alliance

There is one other prophecy that can help illuminate the alignment of the Middle East. Psalm 83 reveals a future alliance between modern-day Assyria (Germany) and several Arab states. This is an alliance made primarily to destroy the nation of Israel.

“For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [Assyria, or Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:5-8). Here are the modern names of these nations, as taught at Ambassador College under Herbert W. Armstrong: Edom—Turkey; Ishmaelites—Saudi Arabia; Moab—Jordan; Hagarenes—anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today; Gebal—Lebanon; Ammon—also Jordan. (We cannot be extremely precise in this understanding, but it gives a good general idea of where these nations are today.)

This alliance is a strategic masterstroke that bisects the king of the south and allows Europe to divide and conquer the Iranian power bloc. It gives Europe the dominance of the Mediterranean, and it is also a physical barrier between Iran and Europe.

This prophecy seems to imply that the area of Iraq will be allied with Iran (since it isn’t mentioned in this alliance with Germany). That means the Islamic State may be defeated by Iran or a nation allied with Iran, like Russia.

The recent row between Turkey and Russia seems to amplify the split between the two, and may push Turkey to become fully allied with Europe.

Syria is currently in a civil war with three distinct participants all seeking victory: 1) President Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, 2) moderate rebels supported by the U.S., and 3) the Islamic State, which desires to conquer Syria for its own territory. Bible prophecy shows Syria will be allied with the king of the north, or Germany. Watch for Europe to possibly intervene in Syria, especially in light of the migrant crisis, and establish governance in the Syrian territory.

Remove the Fog of War

We are witnessing the most significant Middle East transition in centuries. Leadership is passing to a new power. It seems unclear to most who will fill the power vacuum left by the U.S., but Bible prophecy shows us Europe will dominate the region.

Iran and Shiite extremism will spread across the Levant and become the single-greatest threat to Europe. The Islamic State and the Syrian civil war will soon vanish in the tide of events. They are merely galvanizing agents for the more significant players.

Do not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Do not become overwhelmed by the complexity of the situations or the apparent unlikelihood of the prophecies. Focus on Europe uniting and developing an Arab alliance against Iran. Look for Iran to become more dominant, and for the Shiite flavor of extremism to spread.

We are at the watershed moment now. The instability and confusion of the situation is perfect for upsetting the status quo. Iran can scheme under the smokescreen of the Islamic State, and Europe can arm in the shadows of the U.S. and Russia as they become entangled in unwinnable situations. Bible prophecy removes the fog of war from our view, giving us a clear vision of future events in the most important region in the world. The greatest storm ever seen is about to be unleashed on humankind, and the beginning is revealed in Daniel 11.

The simplicity and authority of Bible prophecy can cut through the confusion of events. The Middle East is going to be the center of events that concern the future of all mankind. You need to know what is going to happen and how it will affect you. Please read our free literature explaining these key prophecies on this most important subject: History and Prophecy of the Middle East, The King of the South, Germany’s Secret Strategy to Destroy Iran and The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy.