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.

Europe’s ‘Civil War’ and Germany

The European Union is fighting a “sort of European civil war,” French President Emmanuel Macron said recently. To him, this is a fight between the “authoritarian” and “illiberal” leaders on the one side and liberal democracies on the other.

This “civil war” encompasses the major news stories in Europe: the migration crisis, terrorism and the rise of the far right.

As Europe’s most populous, richest and dominant country, Germany will be crucial in deciding the outcome. Without Germany on their side, the illiberals are the minority, with the modest goal of merely avoiding EU sanctions and hanging on to the shreds of their heritage that they have left. With Germany on their side, the illiberals could change the fate of Europe.

Guttenberg Calls for German Intervention in Syria

Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg acknowledged that Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration supports military action against Syrian President Bashar Assad. But he lambasted it for its unwillingness to do the “dirty work.” Germany’s commitment “has to go beyond fine and pretty words,” Guttenberg said. “I believe always drawing back is not the right approach.”

Could the former politician regain an office that would allow him to do the “dirty work”?

The Return of the Cross in Bavaria

Beginning in June, every government building in Bavaria must hang a cross at its entrance. The new law was approved by the Bavarian cabinet on April 24. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder explained that the cross emphasizes the country’s “commitment to identity” and the “cultural character” of Bavaria, rather than religion.

While this may seem like a small step, it marks an important change in direction for Germany.

Will Cuba’s Newest Dictator Open the Door to Europe?

First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez succeeded Raúl Castro on April 19 to become president of Cuba. Díaz-Canel, who was groomed for leadership by Castro, is the first man besides Castro and his predecessor and brother, Fidel Castro, to preside over Cuba since the Communist Revolution in 1959.

If Díaz-Canel continues the economic reforms started by Castro in 2011, he could make it much easier for Europe to develop trade and investment opportunities with his nation and thereby give a developing European superstate a strategic foothold on the shelf of the North American continent.

Historic Meeting: China Coaxing India Away From U.S.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, China, on April 27 and 28 for a visit expected to reset relations between the world’s two most populous nations. Such a reset could be a geopolitical game-changer, reversing India’s current alignment with the United States and potentially setting up India to join an Asian bloc that Bible prophecy says will form in the end time.

“This Week” appears every weekend. To receive an update on our latest stories in your inbox ahead of time every Friday afternoon, subscribe to the Trumpet Brief daily e-mail. Sign up by clicking here or by visiting theTrumpet.com home page.