Here are five of the most important news stories this week, as well as relevant links to the full articles and videos here on theTrumpet.com.

Iran Trains the Taliban

A July 2 report by the Times of London details how the next generation of Taliban fighter is better trained and armed—all thanks to Iran. “The scale, quality and length of the training is unprecedented and marks not only a shift in the proxy conflict between the [United States] and Iran inside Afghanistan, but also a potential change in Iran’s ability and will to affect the outcome of the Afghan war,” the Times reported.

Longtime readers of the Trumpet know there is another proxy conflict to watch—one between Iran and Europe. The Afghan war is making up a part of the front line in this brewing conflict prophesied to pit Catholic Europe against an Iranian-led Islamic power.

Macedonia and Albania Move Closer to EU Membership

Albania and Macedonia may become members of the European Union in less than a decade if they make sufficient progress on civil reforms, the EU General Affairs Council decided on June 26.

These small nations sit on the highly strategic Balkan Peninsula—a region one former EU Commission president said “belong[s] strictly to the EU.” External forces are seemingly pressuring the EU to act quickly to secure the vital ports and maritime trade routes that surround these South European nations.

Europe and China Aim to Set Global Trade Rules

Europe and China recently agreed to update global trade rules and address problems that have arisen since United States President Donald Trump increased tariff restrictions.

While visiting China, European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said, “Even though one cannot accept unilateral action—which is in violation of the principles and rules of the wto [World Trade Organization]—once the U.S. [engages in unilateralism], it tells us we have to update the wto to be better suited for the existing environment.”

The two blocs will form a group to discuss technology policy, government subsidies and other problems that are threatening international commerce. Their actions will hasten Bible prophecies about trade war!

What Does Mexico’s New President Mean for the Drug Cartels?

Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected Mexico’s president on July 1 in a landslide victory—the first time since 1988 that a presidential candidate has been elected with an absolute majority.

Obrador, however, has little control over the 45 percent of Mexico that’s controlled by drug cartels. These cartels take in between $19 billion and $29 billion annually, making them wealthy enough to field sizable armies. And they have killed more than 230,000 Mexicans since former President Felipe Calderón declared war on the cartels in 2006. President-elect López Obrador has suggested rewriting the rules of the drug war and negotiating a ceasefire with the cartels.

What are his odds for success?

Obama Ready for a Political Comeback

According to recent reports, former United States President Barack Obama may be planning a return to politics. In the last few months, Obama has met in his personal office with nine or more possible Democratic presidential candidates. He has also unofficially advised Democrats running in midterm elections this fall. One of Obama’s former communications directors, Jennifer Palmieri, told New York magazine, “People continue to want, to ask for, his intervention—and even be frustrated when they don’t get it. … Because what they want is for Barack Obama to be president, and he is not. They miss Dad, and they’re homesick, and there’s so much in the world that’s disorienting, and they want something that they love and that’s familiar.”

What does Barack Obama’s political comeback mean for American democracy?

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