Given the looming threat of nuclear bombs exploding over Ukraine, some consider the West’s Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises an unnecessary provocation. While Russia certainly could use the exercises as an excuse to escalate the war, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Operation Steadfast Noon, which began on October 17, is of even greater significance for a country that the Trumpet watches closely.

“Steadfast Noon exercises are held once every year, but this year is unique because the exercise will take place during the largest conventional war in Europe since World War ii with considerable tension and uncertainty resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Hans M. Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, said. “Moreover, Steadfast Noon is expected to more or less coincide with a large Russian strategic nuclear exercise. For nato officials, other than Putin’s war in Ukraine, this is all routine. But for the public, it is but the latest development in rising tensions and unprecedented fears about nuclear war.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has studied the West’s response to his aggressions for years. Even though nato has routinely held large-scale exercises to deter Russia, it has been unable to prevent his aggressions. That’s why many doubt that exercises to deter a nuclear war will prove any different. Furthermore, Western leaders have proved their inability to solve domestic troubles and thus don’t inspire confidence in solving a threat of such magnitude.

The threat of nuclear war is more real than ever. Few realize, however, that Russia is not the only one seriously considering the use of nuclear weapons.

During the Steadfast Noon exercises, at least 14 of nato’s 30 member nations practiced using America’s nuclear weapons that are stationed in Europe. James Stavridis wrote for the Washington Post: “I observed such exercises many times as nato’s supreme allied commander a decade ago, and was always struck by the incredibly high level of attention to detail, the concomitant use of complex checklists, and the deep motivation of all the member-nations’ service members for even a simulated war.” Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey are believed to have access to the U.S. bombs.

German Defense Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz noted that Germany’s participation in the exercises is important to prove nato’s readiness and capabilities. Germany recently announced the purchase of American F-35 fighter jets to ensure this capability in the future.

The U.S. has drawn a lot of attention to Russia’s threats of nuclear war. It has also closely watched Iran’s ambition to pursue nuclear weapons. At the same time, however, it has prepared its World War ii enemies, namely Germany and Italy, to use nuclear weapons in the most efficient way possible.

Even more disconcerting, the U.S. is spending large sums of money to upgrade its Europe-stationed nuclear weapons. “During the past several years, the nuclear bases and the infrastructure that support the nuclear-sharing mission in Europe have been undergoing significant upgrades, including cables, command and control systems, weapons maintenance and custodial facilities, security perimeters, and runway and tarmac areas,” Kristensen noted.

History and Bible prophecy show that America’s decision to trust Germany and Italy with nuclear weapons is a deadly mistake. Even before World War ii, Europe had a long history of seeking world domination. German kings and emperors have repeatedly joined forces with Rome and the Vatican to achieve that goal. Yet today, America believes that nations who have a history of war can be trusted to prevent future wars.

In “America’s Naive Trust in Germany,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains where today’s nuclear war preparations are leading:

In Matthew 24:21-22, Jesus Christ Himself warned of the frightening prospect of mankind wiping itself out: “[E]xcept those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.” The Moffatt translation clarifies this by translating it “saved alive.” This isn’t talking about spiritual salvation but human survival.

No human mind at that time could have foreseen the development of weapons so deadly that mankind would risk destroying itself. Yet Vladimir Putin is openly threatening that destruction. …

We should, then, listen to what Christ has to say about Germany and about America’s trust in it.

America has forgotten what Hitler-led Germany and Mussolini-led Italy did in World War ii. But this problem isn’t just confined to World Wars i and ii. The partnership of Germany and Italy is really the heart of the “Holy” Roman Empire, which has risen up six times to cause bloodshed like no other empire in history! Six times—so far!

Germany’s alliance with Italy against America and Britain in World War ii, just seven decades ago, was the sixth resurrection of this centuries-long, destructive church-state combine.

History and Bible prophecy show that we need to closely watch Germany’s preparation for nuclear war. Even though Russia and Iran are also prophesied to play a role in the coming nuclear war, God reveals that we need to watch the nation that is believed to be America’s ally as the greatest threat to our world. But there is a hopeful reason why events unfold as they do. This hopeful reason supersedes the coming horrors of nuclear war. To understand the hope in the warnings of nuclear war, please read “America Trusts Germany With Stealth Nuclear Fighters,” by Gerald Flurry. Also request a free copy of Nuclear Armageddon Is ‘At the Door’.