FT: ‘Ready or not, a new Middle East is taking place before our eyes’

The Middle East is changing. Here are three of reports (one from the UK, one from the USA, and one from the Middle East):

Ready or not, a new Middle East is taking place before our eyes

June 15, 2014

The potential for prolonged political-religious wars within and across boundaries, involving both local and foreign forces and militias and governments, is great.

There are several explanations for our arrival at this point. The US decision in 2003 to oust the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, followed by policies that reinforced sectarian rather than national identities, is one. This also helped to bring about a region in which Iran was left with few constraints on its ability to back Shia factions in Iraq, up to then its main regional rival, and elsewhere.

The administration of Barack Obama comes in for its share of responsibility… it should have pushed harder for a residual US or international force to remain…

The president could also have done more in neighbouring Syria once he determined that the regime of Bashar al-Assad had to go. By neither acting against Mr Assad directly when he used chemical weapons nor providing military aid to those non-extremists opposing him, he helped to create a vacuum increasingly filled by radical jihadists such as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Isis.

Iraqis cannot escape blame, however. Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikihas ruled in narrow sectarian terms…it is probably just a matter of time before we see the partition of Iraq into an Iran-dominated south; an independent Kurdish area in the north; and a central area around Baghdad contested by Isis and an Iran-backed Iraqi government. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54d08a7e-f31c-11e3-a3f8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz34iaui5qJ

June 15, 2014

The United States has ordered an aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf in response to the crisis in Iraq.

The Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral John Kirby, says Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel gave the order…A guided-missile cruiser and a guided-missile destroyer will accompany the aircraft carrier.

Meanwhile, the French news agency (AFP) reports an Iraqi air strike hit a convoy of Kurdish forces in eastern Iraq, possibly by mistake, killing six fighters. And mortar fire in central Iraq hit a recruitment center for civilians volunteering to fight the Islamist militants, killing six people. Neither report has been confirmed…

A spokesman for the Sunni militants vowed they would push into Baghdad and on to Karbala, a city southwest of Baghdad that is one of the holiest sites for Shi’ite Muslims. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-orders-aircraft-carrier-to-gulf/1937188.html

June 15, 2014

Any leader of Egypt will preside over a country torn in two. Egyptians were and remain deeply divided over the removal of President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, 2013. A poll taken a month earlier found that of the three-fifths of Egyptians familiar with the “Tamarrod” campaign demanding Morsi hold early elections, half supported and half opposed the petition. A Zogby Poll taken three months after Morsi’s removal similarly revealed a nation split evenly: 44 percent expressed confidence in Morsi and 46 percent expressed confidence in the de-facto leader Sisi.

These divisions only mask deeper fault lines. The country is split between different classes, regions, socio-economic groups, and religious identities. There is little consensus over the future of the country. Local media has done little to calm the storm, often spreading half-truths and sensationalist stories to incite rather than to inform. In this charged climate of mutual enmity and distrust the loudest voices tend to be those of the extremes calling for uncompromising opposition to anyone opposed to their vision of the future and interests.

These divisions threaten political progress, economic recovery and regional peace. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/06/egypt-reconciliation-polarisat-2014614183211665535.html

As far as Iraq goes, here is a link to a new video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy. Here is a link to a video on Egypt Egypt and End Time Prophecy.

The situations in Iraq and Egypt are not the only ones in that part of the world. There are serious problems in Tunisia, Libya, Somalia, and of course, Syria. And then there is the Palestinian issue and the various issues involving Iran. And let’s not forget Afghanistan, which is also not truly stable despite the efforts by the Obama Administration. There are political issues with all the countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The reality is that there will be changes in the Middle East and North Africa. There will be unrest, a probable regional war, a couple of prophesied deals (Daniel 9;27; Psalm 83:4-8; Daniel 11:27) and many of the nations there will enter into an alliance with Egypt (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Daniel 11:40-43). A leader that the Bible calls the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) will rise up.

In 2009, I had the following published in a book:

[T]he Bible predicts that at the appointed time, a King of the North and a King of the South with rise. Various statements that Barack Obama has made suggest that he will implement policies that will likely help lead to the multi-national formations that will ultimately have these kings. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 132)

While I will not comment about the Financial Times‘ position about what Barack Obama should have done Iraq, the fact is that he has implemented policies that will result in the rise of the final King of the South. A power that I also believe will employ terrorism.

This King of the South power is similar to the type of Islamic caliphate that many in the Middle East and North Africa want. This confederation will come to pass and at least parts of Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya, the Arab peninsula, North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey will be part of it according to the Bible–yet the same verses that tell of it, also tell that this confederation will not end well for most of its participants (see Ezekiel 30:1-8; Daniel 11:40-43).

The Middle East is changing and the Bible does tell where this will lead.

Some items of possibly-related interest may include:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will happen to those in Egypt? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Egypt and End Time Prophecy.
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.