Wars and Rumors of Wars
President Trump wants to be known as a peacemaker. But sometimes, the rest of the world doesn’t cooperate. This morning we see war resuming in Gaza, tensions with Iran escalating, Vladimir Putin apparently uninterested in Trump’s plan to end the Ukraine war, and Germany changing its constitution to boost its military. Wars and rumors of wars.
[BRIEF]
Israel resumes strikes on Gaza: The ceasefire is no more: Israel launched strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza last night, Mihailo Zekic reports. All the efforts to negotiate with Hamas proved fruitless, even after months of continuous pounding by Israeli forces. Initially the Trump administration pressured Israel to release thousands of prisoners to Hamas in exchange for 33 hostages (eight of whom were dead). Now it seems they realize this was a bad move. The Trumpet monitors the situation closely for evidence of prophecy fulfilled that Gaza will turn its allegiance away from Iran-sponsored terror. Learn about this in our article “Gaza the Day After.”
Houthis are defying Trump’s threats: As Richard Palmer wrote yesterday, President Trump ordered large-scale U.S. air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen this past weekend. Sunday, the Houthis retaliated with ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its accompanying warships. Houthi leaders vowed to “remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges.”
How far is President Trump willing to go to end Houthi attacks on U.S. interests and maritime shipping in the Red Sea? More strikes are underway right now. But the Houthis have shown themselves resilient and determined in the past. It could take considerable firepower to shut them down. Expect a theTrumpet.com report on this later today.
Will the U.S. go to war with Iran? Meanwhile, Trump has implicated Iran as being responsible for the Houthis’ defiance. He is reviving his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, with a mix of military threats and economic sanctions. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told ABC News on Sunday that Iran must surrender its nuclear program or face consequences. This has some popular commentators accusing Trump of wanting to start a war against Iran.
These truly are thorny, even impossible issues. The notion that America can ignore them and simply turn inward is foolish. And the idea that threats and even limited strikes will bring America’s adversaries into line is naive. President Trump boasts that no wars started during his first term and believes that if he demands respect he will get it. But the world is more dangerous than it was eight years ago. We are entering the period Christ called “the times of the Gentiles.” Several powers are eager to dethrone America even if it means war. Another case in point:
Putin not interested in a ceasefire: President Trump has invested considerable effort into bringing the Ukraine war to a speedy end. He secured agreement from Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, but Vladimir Putin calls the plan unacceptable; he says Russia won’t agree to a ceasefire that allows Ukraine to rearm and regroup under Western support. He says any deal must align with Russia’s strategic goals, including the “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine—basically code language for dismantling Ukraine’s sovereignty and military capacity. Putin is betting that he can outlast the West’s resolve while Trump faces pressure to adjust his approach or escalate involvement.
Yet another situation where Trump’s desire for a quick fix is failing. Read Gerald Flurry’s most recent Trumpet cover story, “Does Donald Trump Know the Way to Peace?”
Germany’s constitution will change—military spending to skyrocket: Today, Germany’s outgoing Bundestag secured the required two-thirds majority to amend the constitution, loosening the “debt brake” to allow increased borrowing—exempting defense spending above 1 percent of GDP. This is an extraordinary move led by the CDU/CSU and SPD to prepare Germany for war, as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated. This government was hammered in recent elections, yet incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz defied the new electoral mandate to ramrod this change through before the new government takes power. Germany’s resurrection as a military superpower proceeds apace. Mr. Palmer’s new Trumpet cover story, “Up in Arms,” explains the significance.
Despite violence in Syria, Europe will keep sending money: Facing an insurgency of Assad loyalists, Syria’s new government is executing a crackdown that is reportedly killing hundreds of civilians. Yesterday the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called the bloody clashes “really worrying” and said, “It shows that hope in Syria is really hanging by a thread.” She then added: “This shows that we need to do more to really show that Syria is going in the right direction.”
Operating by this logic, EU countries agreed to keep sending financial aid and sanctions relief for Syria’s new leaders. Germany led the way, pledging €300 million. “As Europeans, we stand together for the people of Syria, for a free and peaceful Syria,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock explained.
Expect Germany and Europe to willfully ignore the bloodthirstiness of its new partners in Syria. It has long sought a firmer foothold in the Middle East, and it is unlikely to let this opportunity slip by. Bible prophecy foretold Syria’s break with Iran and its alliance with Germany.
The last surviving Battle of Britain pilot died this morning at age 105. John “Paddy” Hemingway joined the Royal Air Force as a teenager before World War II and was among those youths who repelled the onslaught of Germany’s Luftwaffe in 1940 and 1941. He was among those of whom Winston Churchill famously said, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” It is one of the most heroic chapters in modern British history. Read about it in our article “Inspiring Lessons From the Battle of Britain.”