Russia Initiates Cold War II

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

22nd September 2008

Russian-Jewish relationships have always been varied. In recent months the temperature changed.

In early September Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was packing his bags for a visit to Moscow. His plans were to speak with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin about the Russian interests in Syria.

Israel wanted no developments which threatened their national security but the visit was cancelled. Apparently Russia had other plans.

Instead of a Moscow welcome for Olmert, Russia announced it was undergoing renovation work in Tartus, the Syrian port. The announcement said some of the Russian naval fleet would be station in Tartus ‘permanently.’ They also said Russia and Syria had already planned ‘real and simulated’ naval exercises.

In Jerusalem this announcement gained attention quickly. Earlier this year (2008) Syrian military officials met with Russian defence officials in Moscow to discuss bilateral military and technical co-operation. Those meeting raised eyebrows but there was more to come.

Lebanon security officials reported an influx of ‘Russian intelligence officers’ arrived in Beirut. They were seen moving into the Russian Embassy complex.

Russia claims the USA is rebuilding Georgian air facilities because they plan to attack Iran from there. Stratfor Intelligence Agency said: “The Russians are apparently justifying their increased presence to Lebanese security officials by claiming the United States is providing Georgia and Chechen militants material aid to target Russian interests abroad.”

Russia has become very angry over what they see as American aggression into their region. NATO started by welcoming the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland back in 1999. Then President George W. Bush championed the entry of the Ukrain and Georgia into the alliance and Russia was ticked off!

“Georgia and Ukraine’s joining of the alliance cannot fail to influence our relations with those countries and with NATO as a whole,” spat Russian deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denision. ‘It will not help strengthen the atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding in Europe,” he added.

Have you noticed how quiet the Bush Administration has been over the rascals in Iran? The USA knows Russian influence is in the area and the game is changing, even as we speak.

Apart from Russian overtures to assist the Iranian nuclear plans in Bushehr, the new prominent appearance in Syria and the obvious support for Hizbullah has changed the goalposts.

But it is much more than that! Russia has proposed the possibility of a satellite launch facility in Cuba. The idea came from the Russian space agency September 17.

There is a power change in Cuba. Fidel was replaced by his brother Raul Castro. During Cold War I Havana and Moscow taunted the USA from mere miles away from the Florida coast. Russia is angling to be positioned there once again.

A January survey conducted by the independent Levada Centre in Moscow found that 57 percent of Russians regard the US as ‘a threat to global security.’

Another report by the Russian agency Pravda said the rise of Russian aggression and defiance has the West ‘surprised and scared.’

At a global conference in Cernobbio, Italy, earlier this year, U.S. Vice President Cheney said, ‘Russian arms dealing in the Middle East has endangered prospects for peace and freedom in the region. This chain of aggressive moves and diplomatic reversals has only intensified concern that many have about Russia’s larger objectives.”

Are these events driving is closing to realizing the prophecies of Ezekiel. Rabbis in Israel are openly discussing ‘the war of God and Magog.’

There are so many Christians who have not time for biblical prophecy and have no understanding about the detailed truth of the Word.

Do not be among them. Be alert, the devil is prowling.

Right now the Russian Bear is making a move and creating alliances just as Ezekiel said.

Doesn’t that make you wonder?

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