The Beginnings of World War III? (Part 1) (18 Aug 06)

The Beginnings of World War III? (Part 1) (18 Aug 06)
By Tommy Franks

The recent battle between Israel and Hezbollah is only the beginning! However, it is more serious than you may realize. What makes this conflict so important? On one side is a tiny nation…slightly smaller in size and populace than New Jersey. On the other side is a small terrorist organization that controls about one fourth of the country…and they are murderers. Considering the wars going on in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Congo, and two dozen other nations worldwide, why is the world’s attention so riveted on Israel and Lebanon? Is this conflict important? Yes.

The battleground has soaked up the blood of Israelis, Arabs, and Persians. Historically, this land was not only the cradle of civilization, but also the backdrop of the beginning of the age of man. It is the primary setting and focal point for the unfolding drama of end-time Bible prophecy.
Iran is right in the middle of this devastating event. The decision to ignite a war on 12 July 06 was calculated. Unannounced and unprovoked, Hezbollah began Operation Truthful Promise… raiding Israel, abducting two soldiers, killing others, and shelling Israel from behind the Lebanese border…hiding like a bunch of ravenous wolves!In the days that followed…Israel retaliated and encountered well-fortified Hezbollah bunkers in southern Lebanon. Israel continued to suffer unrelenting rocket attacks including those on Haifa, its third-largest city. It became apparent that Hezbollah had been preparing for this war for years. The UN did nothing to help prevent this war! Absolutely nothing! Well, they did observe some of the murders and carnage.This terrorist group had plenty of help…most notably from the Islamist nation known as: Iran. The Islamic Republic has nurtured and funded this terrorist group from its outset. Hezbollah’s foundational document identifies the Ayatollah Khomeini, who led the Iranian Revolution in 1979, as the group’s “commanding jurist,” whose orders it must obey. Along with Syria, Iran has supplied the ideological motivation, finance, training, armaments, and the logistical support that make Hezbollah an effective terrorist force.
Western intelligence sources say Iran has been readying Hezbollah for a long time to start a war with Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iranian military organization), regularly sent teams to southern Lebanon to train Hezbollah, holding exercises on weapons usage and terrorist tactics. It also helped prepare rocket and missile arsenals in the Bekaa Valley and Syria during 2006. Iran has supplied 12,000 Katyusha rockets to Hezbollah! These will now be re-supplied!

On 11 July 06 (the day prior to the recent war), a summit in Damascus was attended by top Hezbollah officials. The head of the Syrian military intelligence and the Iranian national security were there. The timing of the war was orchestrated by Iran with Syria’s assistance, and executed with precision. Together they decided what type of war to fight and when to start it. As a result, Israel battled what intelligence confirms as “the most resilient and well-motivated opposition force in its history.”
Clearly, this has been more than a battle with just a terrorist group. This has been a war with the Middle East’s most formidable nation. For 12 years the Trumpet has pointed to Iran fulfilling the role prophesied by the Prophet Daniel of “the king of the south,” which would put it at the forefront of hostilities to emerge from the Middle East…directed first at Israel and then at other global powers.
There are reports that the number of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps troops in Lebanon increased after the war began, and that Iranians were involved in firing missiles into Israel. The missile that hit an Israeli Navy missile boat off the coast of Lebanon on July 14, 2006 killing four Israelis was directly operated by Iranians. “This was a direct message to the Israelis that we are fighting the Iranians here,” an Arab diplomatic source said. A report published by an Israel-based research group, the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, confirmed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard based in Lebanon “provided military guidance and support for terrorist attacks against Israel.”There is no doubt that Iran (using Hezbollah) deliberately intended to make Israel’s offensive into Lebanon as costly as possible…inflicting substantial Israeli casualties. Iran has used this war to rally the Muslim world. Furthermore, Iran and Hezbollah have already won a psychological victory simply by taking Israel on. In the Islamic world, killing and kidnapping Israeli soldiers and launching rockets into Israeli towns…has made heroes of Hezbollah terrorists. “When they get to heaven, they will be rewarded even more!” Hello! I think not! The image of Israel’s military might has been weakened. Hezbollah has gained credibility. Radical Islam is resurging. Israel’s offensive did not intimidate the Islamic peoples.
Even though the ruling regimes of some Arab countries…like Saudi Arabia and Egypt…are less than thrilled with the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah axis, the populations of those countries have largely rallied behind Hezbollah. This has presented the Arab states with another problem…The Hamas-Hezbollah assault on Israel has the potential to encourage radical Islamists to oust their authoritarian type governments. We will see.With protests against Israel breaking out in cities across the Arab world…in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen…the situation for Arab regimes has become more tenuous, and Iran’s sway more pronounced. Arab states cannot afford to be seen defending Israel. Iran will continue to aggressively promote demonstrations in an effort to force the Arab regimes to the edge. The Arab governments will continue to allow protesters to vent their anger. People of the Islamic world are rejoicing in Hezbollah’s actions and efforts. Thousands of Muslims around the world are excited and motivated because of this recent war. There is a growing sense of empowerment among Muslims. A new reality check is in the air. Hezbollah’s attack is only the beginning of Iran’s war against the West…and anyone else who stands in its way. This war has not been merely about territory or riches. It has been about a religious and ideological war that knows no boundaries. It is evil against good. The passions that fueled the war are likely to witness spillover effects. When you consider the massive global reach of the billion-strong Muslim community, and the significant percentage who have sympathized with the cause of the Jihadists in southern Lebanon, the idea of this conflict has become more plausible. What is Jihad? It is a campaign waged by Muslims in defense of the Islamic faith against individuals, organizations, or countries who are nonbelievers (infidels) of the Islamic faith. All nonbelievers are regarded as hostile to Islam.

How long do you think it will be before this radical Islamic mindset explodes into violence in Berlin, Paris, London, Frankfurt, New York, or Washington DC?
Remember this. Their mode of waging war means it would only take a few of them to wipe out hundreds or thousands of innocent people. Even a handful of devoted Islamic suicide bombers could inflict great devastation on our Western culture of freedom. Next question? Who will stand up to Iran? The fact that Iran started this war is monumental. But even more shocking is the fact that they are getting away with it. The U.S. and Israel have both issued some fairly stern words toward Iran for its role in the current conflict. However, thus far, we have only heard “words of rhetoric”. Iran cunningly has used Hezbollah as a front group to launch this war. Some will continue to pretend that Iran is not the issue. Now, we get to the greater question. In the future, do we have the possibility of this escalating into World War III? Yes!Not only are the Islamic countries taking Iran’s side, but also Russia and China have both weighed in as loyal allies to Iran as well. In addition to using their power in the G-8 and UN Security Council to blunt international criticism toward Iran and Syria, Russia and China also have given practical, logistical, and technological support to Iran…by way of armaments and weaponry. The missile fired from Lebanon that killed four Israeli seamen was a radar-guided C-802 missile that Iran acquired from China. Russia has well-established military and economic ties with both countries. It supplies arms to Syria and is building a nuclear reactor in Iran. Russia also has friendly relations with Hamas and Hezbollah, not recognizing either of them as a terrorist organization.It does not matter that Russia was formerly communist and China is currently communist. Both are moving forward toward democracy because communism does not work. However, their common goal with Islam is to unseat the United States and our Western allies from superpower status. The driving ambition of all these anti-Western countries is to reorder the global balance of power. Their first order of business is to bring down America. Both Russia and China are growing in clout and influence on the world scene, especially among the Islamic nations. Thus, picking a fight with Iran could quickly provoke a major global clash. Another reason the U.S. is careful not to act too tough with Iran is: The US depends on Iran to help prevent Iraq from blowing up into an even deadlier situation. Through back channels, the U.S. has previously secured Iran’s assistance in keeping a lid on the Iraqi Shiites…over whom it has considerable influence through leaders such as Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr.The Hezbollah-generated crisis gives the Iranians the opportunity to show its influence in Syria and Lebanon in defusing the situation and thus consolidate their position as a main player in the region. (More to Follow in Part 2)