Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on May 24 that Britain and the United States had “profoundly” underestimated the consequences of removing former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from office.

As a recap, the U.S.-led invasion overthrew Hussein in April 2003. The ensuing war lasted until the U.S. withdrew in 2011. The war may have ended, but the violence did not. While the civil war only lasted from 2006 to 2007, deep sectarian rifts have ensured widespread terrorism and an ever increasing death toll. To date, the civilian death toll is well over 175,000.

At an event hosted by Prospect magazine, Blair said, “[W]e underestimated profoundly the forces that were at work in the region and that would take advantage of the change once you topple the regime.” He continued, “And that’s the lesson. The lesson is not actually complicated; the lesson is simple—it’s that. It’s that when you remove the dictatorship, out come these forces of destabilization—whether al Qaeda on the Sunni side or Iran and its militia on the other side.”

Nobody, including Mr. Blair, predicted the blow-by-blow account that has led to the Iraq of today. But was the underestimation of intervening in Iraq universal?

Enter the Trumpet magazine.

The June 2003 special edition of the Trumpet focused on the war in Iraq. The cover story, “Prophecy Comes Alive in Iraq!” by columnist Joel Hilliker, set the stage by outlining how the magazine predicted the ramifications of the invasion. In hindsight, the article also proved how the Trumpet was able to determine what world leaders could not: the effects of removing Saddam Hussein.

But how?

The Secret Ingredient

Mr. Hilliker began by writing:

It is hard to understand the real meaning of world events as they occur. Media and technology open to us oceans of information, but to discern what is important can be difficult. Often, only with the benefit of hindsight can we begin to make out the significance.However, there is something that can eliminate those limitations in our perspective and give us deep insight into what we are really witnessing. It can give us a map, setting those truly monumental events and trends in stark relief from everything else.What is it? It is Bible prophecy—prophecy delivered to us by the great God, who forecast with accuracy what major events would unfold at the end of this age of man. “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them” (Isaiah 42:8-9).

What makes this and every issue of the Trumpet magazine unique is Bible prophecy. The Trumpet has, and always will, look at events, such as the fall of Hussein, under the revealing light of Bible prophecy—what God says is going to happen. News in advance! For more of such Middle East news, read our free booklet History and Prophecy of the Middle East.

The vital spiritual aspect of world events will give you, the reader, a perspective that cannot be found on Capitol Hill or at No. 10 Downing Street.

Another article from the June 2003 edition, “The Iraq Campaign and American Hypocrisy,” shows the importance of retaining God in the analysis of world events. The article explains that, while removing Hussein from power was the right thing to do, it would not bring victory to the U.S. or its western allies.

The article stated:

The problem is, the United States and Britain, though perhaps reflecting the best of human motivations, from a godly perspective went about this task the wrong way. As a result, these nations are bringing even greater condemnation upon themselves—a curse from God Himself.

After the article quoted Jesus Christ’s condemnation of hypocrites, found in Matthew 15:7-9, it stated:

We clearly see Saddam’s sins, for they are many. The problem is, we have failed to see our own individual and national sins! We have such an urgent need to repent, yet we act very righteous as we proclaim freedom and democracy as the solution to all man’s problems. Yet freedom and democracy have clearly not solved the problems that are extant in our own nation! …From God’s point of view, the United States is even more guilty than Saddam! Iraq does not profess to know the God revealed in the Holy Bible. The English-speaking nations, in particular the United States and Britain, claim to be God-fearing nations, but in reality, they teach their own ideas (“the traditions of men”) about God and His laws. …Our leaders refuse to face even the simplest and most basic truths that God has revealed to man. As a result, even our victories will continue to turn into defeats.

This is how a Trumpet subscriber can avoid the mistakes Tony Blair now regrets. And not only that, the reader can also strive to avoid the endemic problems that have caused the crisis in the first place!

Still Underestimating

There was more stated in the June 2003 Trumpet that world leaders today still underestimate. Late columnist Ron Fraser wrote “Out of Chaos, Opportunity.” This article discussed, in detail, the ramifications chaos in Iraq would bring to Europe! He concluded his article:

“Old Europe” will retain an impression of disunity and confusion among the swelling ranks of its member nations until the crusading spirit of Charlemagne’s old empire is revived!The Anglo-American war in Iraq has done much to awaken that spirit!And that is perhaps the most profound of unseen consequences of this recent war in Iraq.

The revival of this “Old European” spirit still goes vastly underestimated today! Be sure to read our free book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy for a detailed look at this emerging European power and its prophetic significance.

Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran?

Finally, there is the article in the June 2003 Trumpet written by editor in chief Gerald Flurry. The title of his article—originally used in 1994—was “Is Iraq About to Fall to Iran?”

In it, Mr. Flurry wrote:

Saddam Hussein was the only leader that Iran feared. Now the U.S. has taken him out of the way. But does America have the will or strength to guard the spoils of war? Prophecy states that it does not. …And though the current U.S. administration is vowing not to allow an Iranian-style theocracy to gain hold in Iraq, there are also signs in the way it is rebuilding the country that show a fundamental lack of political will to see this pledge through. Perhaps it will not be during the term of the current president, but the Bible shows that America will fail to contain Iran the way it hopes to.

Remember, this was written 13 years ago! Today, Iraq is in shambles. There are deep sectarian divides. The Islamic State controls parts of northern Iraq, while Iran vies for control in Baghdad. U.S. policy in the nation is insipid, at best, and its influence is waning by the day (Read our free book United States and Britain in Prophecy).

Prophecy found in Daniel 11 points to the rise of a Middle East power known as the king of the south. Long-time readers of the Trumpet no doubt recognize the name from the countless articles published on this prophesied power. Iraq’s future is intricately woven into the fate of this rising power—as are many powers in the region. Even the U.S. is directly affected by this prophecy.

Mr. Flurry wrote:

The staggering paradox may be that U.S. power cleared the way for both the king of the north (the European Union) and the king of the south—and ultimately paved the way for our own destruction … .

Tony Blair has realized that he underestimated the consequences of toppling Hussein—though it is unlikely he knows why.

To avoid that same pitfall, keep coming back to theTrumpet.com, the Key of David television program and kpcg.fm. And be sure to read our booklet The King of the South to more deeply understand and appreciate the prophetic hinges upon which geopolitics in the Middle East swing.