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Australian Officials Decry ‘Occupied’ Designation for East Jerusalem

June 5, 2014 News, Politics, Zionism

Illustrative. Israel supporters at a rally in the US. By Joshua SpurlockJust days before the 47th anniversary of Israel’s retaking of Biblical Jerusalem, key Australian government figures inched closer to admitting Israel has a legitimate claim to the city of King David. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Aussie Attorney General George Brandis released a statement with support from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that decried the way the eastern Jerusalem region is often described.

“’The description of East Jerusalem as ‘Occupied East Jerusalem’ is a term freighted with pejorative implications, which is neither appropriate nor useful,” said Brandis, who noted that the area is still up for negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians. While that’s not quite the way the Bible refers to Israel’s capital city, it’s closer than most. … Continue Reading

Israeli Government to Bolster Observance of Biblical Commandment

June 1, 2014 News, Politics
Will 2014 be a big year for Israel?

Will 2014 be a big year for Israel?

Keeping the Biblical commandments in Israel just got a strong supporter: the Israeli government. On Sunday, Israel’s cabinet approved 100 million Shekels ($28.8 million) to assist farmers and others willing to assist with the Biblical Shmita (Sabbatical) year, according to a report from Ynet.

The Shmita is Biblical command to let the Land of Israel lie fallow, or rest agriculturally, every seven years. It is originally commanded in the Biblical books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and it is linked to significant blessings from Heaven for keeping the commandment. On the flip side, the Bible notes that the first major exile of the Israelites was a consequence for their unwillingness to keep it then. So it’s a big deal. … Continue Reading

Lebanon Enters Presidential Power Vacuum

May 25, 2014 Peace and Conflict, Politics, Terrorism
Violence in Lebanon can reach Israel. Sign showing the distance between Jerusalem and Lebanese capital city. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Violence in Lebanon can reach Israel. Sign showing the distance between Jerusalem and Lebanese capital city. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The last time Lebanon lacked a president for any length of time, armed violence reached the Lebanese capital and ultimately led to a resurgence in political power by the Hezbollah terrorist group. So it’s not surprising that the US and France are watching Lebanon after that nation’s last president ended his term without a replacement.

The Daily Star reported that French President François Hollande shared concern about the situation, which came after political gridlock in Lebanon’s parliament prevented a new president from being elected. The two main political alliances, one led by Hezbollah and one more pro-West and anti-Syrian, remain at odds over who should lead the country next. Hezbollah’s coalition has been particularly disruptive to the process. … Continue Reading

Politics Meets War as Turkey Downs Syrian Plane

March 23, 2014 News, Politics, Syria
War as usual, or politics? Turkish PM Erdogan. Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Marco Castro

War as usual, or politics? Turkish PM Erdogan. Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Marco Castro

It’s not very often that the leader of a nation announces a military victory at an election rally, but that’s what happened on Sunday in Turkey. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, under heavy political pressure for multiple reasons, announced at a pre-election rally that Turkey had shot down a Syrian fighter jet.

The Hurriyet Daily News quickly linked the politics with the incident, noting in their report that the political opposition leader in Turkey had warned last week that the Turkish army could enter Syria ahead of the municipal elections, presumptively to bolster support for the current political leadership. The jet incident comes as Erdogan is under fire himself—politically speaking—for banning Twitter in an effort to control Turkey’s social media. … Continue Reading

Opinion: Waning US Influence Means Chaos in Middle East

March 2, 2014 In Depth, Iran Nuclear Program, Politics, Special Feature, Syria
America's talking loudly, but how big a stick are they carrying? Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

America’s talking loudly, but how big a stick are they carrying? Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

It was 2005, and the world was looking brighter. Lebanon kicked out Syria’s army, Ukraine had a pro-West, pro-democracy revolution, Libya was in the midst of deconstructing their weapons of mass destruction and the world’s powerful bad guys seemed to be isolated into a two-nation axis of evil. It was a good year for the West and America.

Now it’s 2014. Lebanon is home to a powerful Iranian-led terror militia known as Hezbollah. The Iranians are popular with corporations racing to get a piece of the pie as sanctions disappear. North Korea has made multiple nuclear tests and Ukraine is under Russian threat. What’s a key element to all the bad news? America’s inability and disinterest in influencing world affairs. It’s a new world order now: fend for yourself. Goodbye Middle East stability. … Continue Reading

Turkey Wants to Fight Terror with… Iran?

January 30, 2014 Iran Nuclear Program, Politics, Syria, Terrorism

It makes sense for Turkey to build friendships in an effort to fight terrorism. But their latest plan to battle terror should raise eyebrows, since their new partner is none other than a top sponsor of terrorist groups: Iran

With a long history of funding and equipping terrorists fighting the US and Israel, Iran isn’t my first choice of a friend in that regard. But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pushing for tighter ties with Iran, including in the fight versus terror, after years of strained relations. Makes you wonder if Turkey’s definition of terrorism is changing with their politics.
… Continue Reading

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