Region Unites Against Threats
Nothing drives nations to coalesce like mutual fear. This phenomenon currently can be witnessed throughout Asia. Across the region, various nations are joining together to fight the threat of terrorism and piracy that hangs over their populations, industries and economies.
Eighty percent of global goods are carried on cargo vessels. Hundreds of thousands of cargo ships transporting vulnerable sea containers float through Asian waters each year. With pirate attacks around the world—including in the Malacca Straits—doubling in the past year, national leaders, not to mention shipping companies and shipowners, are fretting.
Not only is there potential for ocean-based terrorist attacks, of enormous concern is the relative ease with which weapons of mass destruction can be smuggled into the region via its hundreds of sea lanes.
To combat this threat, Asian nations across the region are joining together. For example, Malaysia and Thailand are currently conducting joint border patrols, a cooperative measure not seen between these two nations since the 1970s (bbc News, January 13). Larger Asian ports such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Yokohama and Shanghai are working together to implement the U.S.-designed Container Security Initiative (intended to protect the estimated 200 million cargo containers that move between world ports). Even India, which has a relatively cold relationship with the International Maritime Organization, is prepared to join many of its Asian neighbors to implement an initiative that will make sea travel more secure.
In the Bible, God foretold of an eastern bloc of nations, with a united army of 200 million soldiers that would factor significantly into end-time events (Rev. 9:16; Dan. 11:40-44). In Ezekiel 38, God reveals which nations will comprise this great Eastern army—including Russia, China, Japan, India and the Southeast Asian nations. (For more details, request our booklet Russia and China in Prophecy). These are the nations working closely together even now to protect themselves. This cooperation against the mutual threat of terrorism and piracy is helping to lay the foundation on which this immense army will be built. Continue to watch: Bible prophecy guarantees you will see Asian nations become more united.
