The Week in Review
Middle East
A bomb exploded near a bus stop in downtown Jerusalem Wednesday afternoon killing one and injuring 50. The bomb placed inside of a bag was tied to a pole just outside the International Convention Center and across the street from the central bus station, one of the busiest transit points in the city. The attack marks the first time that buses have been targeted by terrorists in Jerusalem since 2004. It comes after a weeklong escalation of tension between Israelis and Palestinians as terrorists from Gaza fired rockets on Israeli cities and Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza. “No country would be prepared to absorb protracted missile fire on its cities and civilians, and of course the State of Israel is not prepared to,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in parliament. “It could be that this matter will entail exchanges of blows, and it may take a certain period of time, but we are very determined to strike at the terrorist elements and deny them the means of attacking our citizens.” This “exchange of blows” rhetoric is the hard stance that the Trumpet has long expected from Prime Minister Netanyahu. Read Stephen Flurry’s column this week, “Iran Closes In on Jerusalem,” to see how Iran is behind this escalation of hostilities between Palestinians and Israel.
Hundreds of Islamists threw stones at Mohamed ElBaradei on Saturday as the secular contender for the Egyptian presidency attempted to vote in a referendum to accelerate Egypt’s elections. The incident and the results of the referendum reveal the radical direction Egypt is heading in. The referendum concerned a package of constitutional changes intended to accelerate Egypt’s upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, and ElBaradei was an outspoken opponent of the planned amendments, saying that, after years of repression, Egypt’s burgeoning political parties should be given ample time to organize and prepare for upcoming elections. The well-organized Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, is the country’s primary advocate of the proposed changes, and stood to gain the most from them. Although evidence suggests that some vote-rigging occurred, the referendum’s results were overwhelmingly in favor of the rapid election process, with 77.2 percent of Egyptians in favor of the amendments. The outcome equates to a massive victory for the Muslim Brotherhood.
In Yemen, another long-standing Middle Eastern government—a key American ally in the fight against al Qaeda—looks ready to fall. As revolutionary forces have swept the region in recent months, pressure on Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government has intensified. Violence increased until, last week, it exploded in what some have called the “Friday massacre.” Snipers opened fire on anti-government protesters, killing about 50 unarmed people and wounding over 200. This show of force looks like it will mark the end of President Saleh’s 32-year reign. It has inspired high-level defections among his ruling party, including three ministers, over 40 members of parliament, and a handful of ambassadors and diplomats. A number of military leaders have switched their allegiance to back the revolution, including three of the country’s five military zone commanders. The country is in serious danger of erupting into full-scale civil war. Saleh was virtually Yemen’s only restraint against both al Qaeda and the Shiite revolt. When he is gone, both of these movements are almost certain to expand, even flourish. And evidence shows that both have been aided, encouraged and underwritten by Iran.
With the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya and allied air attacks on Muammar Qadhafi’s forces this week, there is now concern that a stalemate on the ground between Qadhafi’s troops and rebels will result. Qadhafi has vowed not to surrender and, while prevented from taking the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, has still been able to prevent any rebel advances. In fact, government tanks re-entered the western city of Misrata on Thursday despite heavy aerial bombardment.
Even as coalition jets pounded Qadhafi strongholds this week, allied leaders began arguing about who should lead the campaign and what the strategic objective of Operation Odyssey actually is. Heated debate this week centered on what role nato should have in the operation, with the U.S. wanting to only play a supporting role. On Thursday, nato agreed to enforce a Libya no-fly zone but stopped short of agreeing to take full command of the operation. nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance’s mandate did not extend beyond enforcing the UN arms embargo and no-fly zone, though a decision is expected Sunday on whether its mandate will be extended to allow the alliance to take command of all operations, including attacking ground targets.
Meanwhile, some analysts are pointing out that the operation being carried out by Western forces may backfire, considering that eastern Libya, where rebel forces are based, is a hotbed of anti-Americanism and jihadist sentiment. There is considerable evidence that a Western-style democracy will not eventuate should Gadhafi be forced from office, writes Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch. A report by West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center reveals that in the past several years, more jihadists per capita have entered Iraq from Libya to fight American forces than from any other Muslim country, and that most of those fighters came from the area where the rebel forces are based. The head of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and the head of Hezbollah both support the Libyan uprising—a good indication that what will emerge from it will not be friendly toward the West.
Largely behind the scenes, Germany is building an alliance with Arabian Peninsula nations that is destined to become very significant in Middle Eastern affairs. The rebellion in Bahrain is catalyzing an alliance of Sunni powers. Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all decided to send security forces to Bahrain to assist in quelling the current protests. For the past month Germany has been monitoring the scene in Bahrain with growing apprehension. Germany has contributed to the buildup of arms in support of the ruling Sunni al-Khalifa clan in Bahrain, especially the supply of submachine guns and ammunition. German-Foreign-Policy.com reports that there are rumors that Rheinmetall, the German armaments giant, is presently bidding on a contract for the further provision to Bahrain of “combat material specifically deemed for the suppression of rebellions” (February 22). In terms of Germany’s future Middle East strategy, watch for the consolidation of an alliance with the Arabian Peninsula nations. That alliance was prophesied by God, 3,000 years ago, in Psalm 83.
Europe
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned on March 23 after parliament rejected his austerity package. “The defeat is likely to trigger a bailout similar to the rescue packages Greece and the Republic of Ireland had to accept last year,” reports the bbc. Unless another coalition is agreed, Portugal faces another election and more uncertainty.
The European Court of Human Rights decided on March 18 that it is acceptable to display crucifixes in Italian public school classrooms. The case divided Europe’s Catholic-leaning countries from the more secular ones, and the reversal of the original decision has given Rome and the Vatican cause to celebrate. “The popular sentiment in Europe has won today,” said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. The France-based court said that its ruling last Friday applies only to Italian public schools, and doesn’t require other countries to allow crucifixes in their schools. But the verdict will affect any of the 47 Council of Europe member countries if citizens in these nations use the decision as an argument in national courts, or if governments use the ruling to justify altering their legislation on religious symbols. The Vatican embraced the ruling, saying it illustrates that crucifixes are not a tool of indoctrination but rather “an expression of the cultural and religious identity of traditionally Christian countries.” “It recognized that, on an authoritative and international judicial level, the culture of man’s rights must not be put in contradiction with the religious fundamentals of European civilization, to which Christianity has given an essential contribution,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi. The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling to allow Italian schools to display one of Catholicism’s most sacred symbols is a clear indication that Europe is becoming less tolerant of multiculturalism and is in the midst of a Catholic revitalization.
Forcing someone into marriage will be punishable by up to five years in prison and foreigners must complete an integration course—including a language test—before they get permanent residency, according to a new law passed by the German parliament on March 17. The parliament also expanded the rights of women forced into marriage. Foreigners living in Germany forced into a marriage and subsequently forced to leave the country will have the right to return to Germany. Austria, too, is in the process of tightening its immigration laws. All except highly skilled immigrants will soon have to learn German before they arrive, according to a bill agreed by Austria’s government last month and in the process of going through parliament. Asylum seekers will have to stay in a camp during their first week in the country, under the proposed laws. Germany, and most of Europe, is gradually rethinking its approach on immigration. Leaders are declaring multiculturalism has failed, and senior politicians, especially in Germany, are speaking out against immigrants, and Muslims in particular. The latest example came from Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, who said in an interview with the Guardian published March 18 that Germany took on too many immigrants from Turkey during the 1960s. Christian Social Union Party Chairman Horst Seehofer, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and new Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich are also on the growing list of senior government officials who have spoken out against immigration or Islam in recent weeks. Islam does present a genuine threat to Europe’s way of life. But Europe has a history of reacting violently to these kinds of threats. Watch for the backlash against immigration and Islam to become even more serious.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel did badly in yet another state election on March 20. Though with 32.5 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results, Merkel’s Christian Democrats are still the most popular party in Saxony-Anhalt, this is their second-worst result there since the fall of the Berlin Wall. With more regional elections coming up in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate this weekend, the pressure on Merkel continues to grow.
Asia
The number of people confirmed dead or missing following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 has climbed to at least 27,000, according to the Japanese broadcaster nhk. The majority of the victims are from the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, and, although some of the missing may have been away from home when the tsunami struck, most are believed to have been washed out to sea. Tokyo estimated on Wednesday that the damage caused by the disasters could cost Japan up to us$309 billion. However, this figure compiles only the cost of destroyed social infrastructure, corporate facilities, and houses, which the World Bank has said was unprecedented. The figure does not factor in losses related to widespread power supply shortages. Tokyo attempted to downplay the costs, claiming that reconstruction work could counterbalance mounting pressure on Japan’s economy.
On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry called on all parties to bring an immediate halt to attacks on Libya and demanded respect of the nation’s sovereignty. Chinese policymakers said they are “against excessive use of military force and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis and even greater casualties among civilians.” China insists it is opposed to military action being used to resolve conflicts on the world stage. India’s minister of finance also spoke out against the West’s interference, saying that no foreign nation should meddle with Libya’s internal affairs. Delhi said Western countries should not work toward change in the African nation until the Libyan people want it. Meanwhile, on Monday, the West’s military involvement in Libya prompted a rare public clash between Russia’s two leading men, as President Dmitry Medvedev criticized Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for calling the measures “flawed” and “reminiscent of a medieval call for a crusade.” In an unusual bout of defiance, Medvedev responded: “It’s absolutely unacceptable to use phrases that in effect lead to conflict between civilizations, such as ‘crusades,’ and the like.” It is becoming more obvious that the end of Moscow’s diarchy is approaching, and Putin will likely take up the official reins of Russian leadership once again, where he can steer the nation onto a course with other anti-Western Asian nations like China.
China, Japan and South Korea will undertake a feasibility study next week about a trilateral free-trade agreement, officials in Seoul said on Wednesday. Around 90 officials from the three nations will participate in a three-day meeting in South Korea, which will be the fourth such meeting among the three parties since the idea was proposed last year. Leaders from the three countries plan to attend a summit finalizing the free-trade agreement in 2012. Meanwhile, China and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding regarding defense cooperation. The two sides plan to produce missiles together and to boost technology transfers, joint training and the supply of military equipment. Asian nations are drawing closer together and will soon form a giant superpower, with a modernized Russia and China at the helm.
Africa/Latin America
A leading South African university is severing all ties with Israel’s Ben-Gurion University as part of a growing campaign to isolate Israel for its defensive attacks on Palestinians in Gaza. The Congress of South African Trade Unions praised the University of Johannesburg this past Thursday for being the first to sever such ties. The 25-year relationship between the two universities will officially end on April 1, but professors can continue to work individually with Ben-Gurion, stated Vice Chancellor Adam Habib. A close relationship once existed between Israel and South Africa, but this relationship is swiftly coming to an end.
Even as U.S. President Barack Obama toured Latin America this week, China promised to inject $4 billion next month into a joint development fund with Venezuela. With the latest loan, China will have extended a total of $28 billion in financing to Venezuela since last August. All of this money is being used to secure for China a steady flow of Venezuelan oil. Beijing has now eclipsed Washington in trade with Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and is Venezuela’s second-most important trade partner. America is already falling behind in the race for the world’s resources.
Anglo-America
The United States military has begun sending training material to 2.2 million active and reserve troops as a prelude to opening the ranks to homosexuals. This material contains instructions on how to be tolerant of homosexual soldiers. This training material was dispatched to military service members worldwide, including combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is part of a major indoctrination program ordered by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to ensure that homosexuals and heterosexuals will serve and fight together. The top U.S. enlisted man in Kabul stated in a Pentagon teleconference last month that specialized training regarding the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy will take place during combat operations. The Prophet Isaiah foretold of a time when the “man of war” would be taken away from Israel. The modern-day Israelite nation of America is turning its back on the biblical standards of morality that it was founded on, and its combat readiness will suffer because of it.
The first of a series of economic shock waves have reverberated across the Pacific following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. General Motors Co. shut down production at its Shreveport plant in Louisiana for the week of March 21. The factory closing was necessary because the “factory” ran out of parts that were made in Japan. GM has said that its other plants continue to run normally. This shutdown, however, could be a precursor to shutdowns by other U.S.-based assemblers that rely on imported components. The days of “made in America” have been eclipsed by those of “assembled in America.” The implications go far beyond just the retention of factory jobs: It is an indicator of the nation’s economic strength.
The worst Texas drought in 44 years is damaging wheat crops and forcing ranchers to reduce cattle herds. Texas got just 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) of rain on average in the five months through February, the least amount of precipitation over that period since 1967. More than half of the state’s wheat fields and pastures were rated in poor or very poor condition on March 20. Dry conditions extending throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado may cut crop yields in the U.S. and send grain and meat prices spiraling higher.
The cold-blooded murder of an Israeli family on March 11 has yet again exposed the blatant anti-Israel bias in Britain’s bbc. The bbc had no coverage of the attack on any of its tv programs, and it was mentioned only once on one of its radio stations. Its website contained just two articles on it, one giving only scant details, leaving out the most tragic aspects of the murder. The other focused on Israel’s decision to build more settlements and only briefly mentioned the attack. British Member of Parliament Louise Bagshawe condemned the bbc’s reporting, saying, “What if a settler had entered a Palestinian home and sawn off a baby’s head? Might we have heard about it then?”
