This Week: Five Events You Need to Know (April 14)

Russia, China and Japan in prophecy, Iran’s nuclear threats, and more
 

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.

Bible Prophecy Rushes Ahead in Russia-China Partnership

After a week of notable indications showing that the Moscow-Beijing partnership has reached a new peak of strength, Modern Diplomacy wrote on April 8 that “China’s alignment with Russia is a fait accompli.”

Part of what makes this rapidly deepening Russia-China partnership so newsworthy is how blatantly it contrasts with their recent history of disagreement. The other part is how prophetic it is!

Japan Commissions First Marine Unit Since World War II

For the first time since World War ii, Japan has commissioned a special marine unit capable of projecting military force in the East China Sea and possibly beyond. During a ceremony marking its establishment on April 7, a senior official from the Japanese Defense Ministry said the marine unit “will show to the international society our firm resolve to defend our islands.”

This is a dramatic development, considering that Japan’s post-World War ii pacifist Constitution allowed only defensive military units and explicitly forbade the formation of offensive ones. The development is not surprising, however, because Japan has been slowly slipping off the pacifist restraints imposed after World War ii. The Trumpet has been watching this trend for three decades now.

Iran Threatens to Restart Nuclear Program

How long would it take for Iran to restart its 20 percent uranium enrichment program? Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, answered this question while speaking to Iranian reporters on April 8. “If senior Islamic Republic officials issue an order to resume the 20 percent enrichment, we can do it in [the] Fordow [nuclear facility] within four days,” he said.

While uranium enriched to 20 percent is not useful for a nuclear bomb, “a stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium,” as the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists wrote, “would cut by more than half the time needed to enrich to levels above 90 percent—levels that are necessary for a bomb.”

What Is the Objective of Saudi Arabia’s Charm Offensive?

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ostensibly acknowledged Israel’s right to exist during an interview with Atlantic magazine published on April 2. His comments caused an international sensation and set off a new wave of optimism about peace in the Middle East.

Such public comments, which are rare among Arab leaders, delighted many of Israel’s friends. But they also worried many other friends of Israel. That’s because there’s more to Saudi Arabia’s charm offensive than choice words and diplomatic gestures.

Can America Control Inflation?

On April 4, China announced tariffs on 100 American goods, including soybeans and Boeing aircraft. Two days later, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cautioned that increasing tariffs could raise inflation rates.

United States import inflation rose from 1.2 percent last July to 3.5 percent in February, making it more expensive to buy goods produced in other countries. Tit-for-tat tariffs between the U.S. and China may well exacerbate this trend. Regardless of what happens in the months ahead, the Bible foretells of a time when economic problems such as inflation and trade war will make it almost impossible for people to buy staples, such as food.

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