In other news...

First up: The Peace Talks

"EU, US put hope in relaunch of Middle East talks"

The Quartet is gearing up to formally invite Israeli and Palestinian leaders for face-to-face peace talks for the first time in one and a half years.The meeting is to be hosted by US President Barack Obama in Washington on 2 September and to aim for an outcome within one year, EUobserver has learned.

The official aim of the Quartet is to help create a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, with a negotiated solution on the status of Jerusalem.

As we know, it always boils down to the fate of Jerusalem (aka "the burdensome stone").
And of course, there is this little fact to consider:

Another problem is the Palestinian Authority's split with Hamas, a militant Palestinian resistance group listed as terrorists by the EU and US, which controls the Gaza strip.

Hamas refuses to recognise the right of Israel to exist or to renounce violent resistance, however.

Oh yea, that...

And this:

"Syria: Israel-Palestinian talks useless"

Official press in Damascus warns that resumption of direct US-brokered negotiations would prove waste of time unless Washington puts pressure on Jerusalem.

Jerusalem. Hmmm.

Syria's official press warned on Sunday that the resumption of direct US-brokered Israel-Palestinian peace talks would prove a waste of time unless Washington puts pressure on its Israeli ally

Then, we turn to Iran, who once again announces yet more weapons build-up (this is getting ridiculous):

"Iran unveils missile-launching boats"

Iran began mass production on two missile-launching assault boats to patrol the country's coastline and shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Monday, according to AFP.

IRNA said that the Zolfaqar missile-launching vessel can be used for patrol as well as attack operations, having a "high destructive power."

Referring to Israel's occasional threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, Ahmadinejad called any attack unlikely, but he said if Israel did, the reaction would be overwhelming.

"The scope of Iran's reaction will include the entire the earth," said Ahmadinejad. "We also tell you — the West — that all options are on the table."

"Iran begins mass production of 2 assault boats"

Inauguration of production lines for missile-launching speedboats comes day after Iranian President Ahmadinejad unveiled country's home-built bomber drone, which he said would deliver 'death' to Islamic Republic's enemies

Here is an interesting article regarding the overall situation in the Middle-East today:

"Doomsday Articles Reflect Edginess on Iran"

Amos is identified as a member of the “Israeli Intelligence Forum,” which includes retired members of the intelligence community and former government officials.

The Russian-Iranian move to open the Bushehr nuclear plant this weekend, Amos opines, was meant to signal to the “declining powers of Europe and the U.S.” that a new front is taking shape: Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, North Korea, Brazil and Venezuela are all lining up against the West.

Iran wants a war to break out between Israel and Lebanon within the next two weeks, the article claims. Lebanon, it warns, will launch missiles against all parts of Israel, especially Tel Aviv. This “first strike” will cause massive casualties and psychological shock in Israel and will be accompanied by missile fire from Hamas in Gaza and by terror attacks in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

This will be followed by a second strike: a chemical weapons attack by Syria that would cause “hundreds of thousands of dead in Israel.” Israel will retaliate “very severely” but only against Iran's proxies – Syria, Lebanon and Gaza – the article predicts

Pridan's article appeared in Haaretz and is titled “Wake Up!". It predicts that Israel will take action against the Iranian nuclear program. “Stricken Iran will respond with its remaining strength” following the Israeli attack, the prominent advertiser warns, firing "missiles that can carry a payload of half a ton of explosives or chemical weapons."

In addition, Hizbullah will fire thousand of rockets. Pridan also believes Tel Aviv will be badly hit, and envisions the IDF Headquarters at HaKiryah, the Akirov Towers where Defense Minister Ehud Barak resides, and the Azrieli Center towers all being reduced to rubble.

Both articles call on the public and its leaders, including the media, to awake from what they see as a state of lethargy in the face of impending catastrophe.

Also in the news, a few articles of further interest:

"Ahmadinejad: Israel is too weak to attack Iran's nuclear facilities"

"Islam is the New Communism"

"Report of Investigation Park 51"


As stated so many times before, one aspect that strikes me is the ongoing "rumors of war". It doesn't take much reading, on a daily basis to see rumors of war. As we watch the build-up of arms in the Middle-East, it usually hinges on a single item: War Preparations, which is synonymous with "rumors of war". In fact, reading news from sources in the Middle East, most of what we see and have seen over the last 2-3 years falls into the category of "rumors of war".

Jesus warned us. He also stated that we should have no fear, as we would see these things before His coming.

Soon, these rumors will become a reality. The only remaining question is, will the Church be here to witness the actual wars which are destined for the Middle East. Only time will tell.