Russia-Georgia: Was it the Beginning?

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

13th August 2008

The Russians and Georgians have agreed to a ceasefire and now the analysis begins. This military action announced to the world Russia is once again a world-power and not to be taken for granted.

While the USA has been absorbed with military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and is consumed with the Iranians and a destabilizing situation in Pakistan, Russia decided to declare their power and authority.

Stratfor analysis said: “It is very difficult to imagine that the Georgians launched their attack against US wishes. The Georgians rely on the United States, and they were in no position to defy it. This leaves two possibilities. The first is a massive breakdown in intelligence, in which the United States either was unaware of the existence of Russian forces, or knew of the Russian forces but – along with the Georgians – miscalculated Russia’s intentions. The United States, along with other countries, has viewed Russia through the prism of the 1990s, when the Russian military was in shambles and the Russian government was paralyzed. The United States had not seen Russia make a decisive military move beyond its borders since the Afghan war of the 1970s-1980s. The Russians had systematically avoided such moves for years.” (Stratfor 12th August, 2008)

In five days the Russians announced the restoration of their army. They also warned all members of the former Soviet Union that Western guarantees of support meant nothing in the face of Russian power.

Oil is a key to the contest. A strategic oil pipeline carrying Caspian crude to Western markets bypasses Russia. It is in US and world interests to keep that oil flowing.

The United States and its allies will consider expelling Moscow from high-level international groups. Bush Administration officials said Tuesday a joint NATO-Russian military exercise may be canceled. The NATO naval exercise scheduled for this week is on hold. That exercise involved ships from Britain, France, Russia and the US.

Behind the scenes the future of the G8 group of nations is under threat. Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA may decide to disband the group by removing Russia from future talks.

Out of this war 64 Jews have fled Georgia and immigrated to Israel. Another 200 have applications with the Jewish Agency. This continues the miracles of the Jews returning to their ‘Promised Land.’

Russia becomes a place of interest for all who seek biblical understanding of world events.  Watch to see if Russia is isolated from western nations in coming months.

Ezekiel says in the latter days it will be Russia (Gog) that leads a consortium to attack Israel. It may well be the Prince of Rosh flexed his muscles this week. (Ezekiel 39: 1-2)

(By Ron Ross, Israel Mosaic Radio, 13th August, 2008)

Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National Director of Bridges for Peace Australia. Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com