The Beginnings of World War III

The Beginnings of World War III (11 Aug 2006)
By Tommy Franks

The current 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 July 12, 2006 was calculated. Unannounced and unprovoked, Hezbollah began Operation Truthful Promise… raiding Israel, abducting two soldiers and killing others, and shelling Israel from behind the Lebanese border.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 beginning. 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!
On July 11, 2006 (the day prior to the current 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 are 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) aims 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. The image of Israel’s military might has been weakened. Hezbollah has gained credibility. Radical Islam is resurging. Israel’s offensive has not intimidated 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 presents the Arab states with another problem…The Hamas-Hezbollah assault on Israel has the potential to embolden radical Islamists in these countries…even to the point of ousting their authoritarian governments.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 is going to continue to aggressively promote these demonstrations in an effort to force the Arab regimes to the edge. The Arab governments will have to struggle with allowing protesters to vent their anger while keeping the Israelis at bay. People of the Islamic world are rejoicing in Hezbollah’s actions and efforts. Thousands of Muslims around the world are growing excited and motivated because of this war. There is a growing sense of empowerment among Muslims. A new reality check is in the air. Hezbollah’s attack represents the opening assault in 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 have 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 conceivable. Question? How long before this radical Islamic mindset explodes into violence in Berlin, Paris, London, Frankfurt, or Washington?
Remember this. Their mode of waging war means it would only take a few of them to wipe out hundreds, or thousands, or tens of 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. 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, material, and technological support to Iran…by way of armaments and weaponry. For example, 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. Hence, the U.S. and Israel might even find themselves indebted to Iran.
Go figure!

For years Iran has been calling the world’s bluff by openly sponsoring terrorism, inflaming Islamist radicalism, and defying international pressure to give up its nuclear program. The world has been completely ineffective in putting a stop to these activities. Now Iran has started a war and still, no nation has been willing or able to stop it!
Iran is rapidly making progress toward its goal of bonding its position as the most dominant nation in the Middle East. We should all wonder about this unchecked rise of Iran’s power.The United States is becoming a peripheral power. We are Israel’s strongest and staunchest ally. However, our resources are tied up heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan and other areas of the globe. We are reluctant to invest too heavily in a third conflict. The Israel situation is simply the latest in a series of serious threats which include North Korea. American influence on global issues is on the decline because of the rising influence of China, Russia, and Iran.

America has asked Germany and other Western nations to step in and assist with the current situation in the Middle East. Germany has accepted the challenge and talked to Israel and several of its neighboring countries.

Some historians believe that that the US will eventually lose its credentials as a mediator in the Middle East. At this juncture, the Jews will feel compelled to request more and more assistance from Germany. Germany appears anxious to step up to the plate as a peace broker. You will hear more about this in the media as new developments occur in the Middle East.

Believe it or not, Israel is looking elsewhere for help. Though Israel is certainly the strongest military power in the region, the recent and various crises could easily escalate beyond its control. Israel is already demonstrating a certain acknowledgement of Washington’s limited helpfulness and of the need to seek other options.For the first time in history, Israel announced it would consider the presence of an international military force in order to shore up its security. NATO members would be welcome. Germany is being considered as a major source of troops for the force. Israel now realizes it can’t do things alone. Germany is primed to play a central role in peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
The UN has proven itself an utter failure at solving such crises. Its resolution two years ago demanding that Hezbollah disarm accomplished nothing. There is huge skepticism within Israel and Europe over any possibility of long-term success using UN peacekeeping tactics.
The UN has no credibility in the Middle East. Period! Therefore, we can soon expect the “peacekeeping” forces of a German and French-led European army to be called upon to deal with the crises in Iran and its Islamic henchmen. The fact that Germany and the rest of Europe have taken a special interest in the present war reveals the beginning stages of a trend that will intensify.Is this World War III? The underlying realities that sparked this war will not go away. Iran’s power will not wane. Islamist fervor within the Middle East will not be tamed. The world will not suddenly find the will to crush Iran’s ambitions. The current trends will only intensify and will eventually thrust the world even closer to World War iii.The Israel-Hezbollah conflict is just one battle in a much larger, global war. It is a broad and building war between two massive, loose alliances. On one side are Israel, America, Great Britain and other Western states. On the other side are Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, Russia, China and other anti-American, anti-Western states. This second group is getting bolder all the time. In the middle is a German-dominated European Union seeking to play mediator…in order to boost its own aspirations for world power status.“For the violence of Lebanon shall cover you, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein” (Habakkuk 2:17). Eventually, everyone on Earth will become swept up in the conflagration that will follow.
The more you dig, the more you find that rhetoric about World War III is sneaking into the language at large. More than a year ago, Bush quoted Osama bin Laden as saying, “This Third World War is raging.”

President Bush…Speaking of Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania on 9/11, said, “I believe that it was the first counterattack to World War III.”

The War on Terror is almost five years old now. Bill O’Reilly, Newt Gingrich, Bradley Burston, and Glenn Beck believe that we are already in World War III. Others say, “This is World War III. And we are losing.”

In the past, the Cold War was a battle of ideology, while World War III is a war of religion. While the former is based on political and economic policies, the latter is one of those pesky metaphysical questions. Why are they so difficult to answer?

Religion speaks to the most fearsome questions that we have the power to ask. Why are we here? What do we believe? What gives value to my life? And most importantly, what is right and what is wrong?

From the beginning of this discussion, if this is indeed World War III, what happens to the radical interpretations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam? Does this mean that WWIII will never end?

Considering two immense changes in the US Military in the last five years, there’s no question that the engagement at hand is significant, and more importantly, the enemy is entirely different than any German or Russian foe against which the US has fought before.

Did you know that our defense spending in 2006 was 41 percent higher than in 2001?
When the 2006 budget was announced, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said very simply, “We are a nation at war.”

Second, the war isn’t against Iraq. It’s in Iraq, but not against the country itself. In fact, the war is being waged at large “against violent extremism” (aka terrorism), of which Iraq is a central front. So the bad guys aren’t just the commies or the fascists. Instead the enemies have no uniforms. They are terrorists such as al-Qaeda. This is war against a religion!
More than a billion Muslims are in the world. Most possess no ill-will against the US.
Many, in fact, have immigrated here and have made tremendous productive lives.

Is this World War III? The people of Lebanon and all other Arab countries are against America and have repeatedly said they want to kill us. Then why do we need to be so concerned about their civilians?

The Lebanon government has declared they are on the side of Hezbollah and the Arab world. This helps us to understand where Lebanon really stands. Fighting against terrorists is different than fighting a war against a country. When you fight against a country you usually know who the enemy is and what their uniforms look like. In this case, the enemy lives in Lebanon, wears no uniform, and is a part of the Lebanon government. We should consider them and Lebanon to be one and the same. These terrorist are actually living in the homes of regular citizens where they store their weapons and plan their attacks. These terrorists store their weapons in their Mosques and they attack from among the homes of 'regular citizens' in order to remain as hidden as possible. It is time for America to wake up and to face the facts. These people are diabolical!This is the beginning of a real war. If Israel loses this war, the whole world will be in grave danger of being taken over by an emboldened Hezbollah. If Hezbollah wins this war, America may be the next target. Israel has had a much tougher time winning this war than expected. If we allow Hezbollah and the other Arab organizations to go back in and re-build the bunkers, it may be too late for any kind of peace in the Middle East. Hezbollah is a political organization with an agenda, just like Nazi Germany was a political organization with an agenda. We almost lost that war and it seems like we should learn something from the past. Why can't we see the forest for the trees? America is in danger and we must realize that we cannot appease terrorist organizations because they do not understand appeasement. They only see your appeasement as weakness and they only understand raw power. We need to find out if America has the power to fight against the Arabs and win before it is too late. We can either fight the Radical Islamists now or we can fight them later since they say they want to kill us. If we do not begin to fight against radical Islam right now, we have already lost. The question is often asked, "Are we in the end times, and how can we predict what will happen in the next few years?"