TODAY: Tensions raised in Georgia; Russia reserves right to use force as question of mortar attacks emerges; Kokoity pledges desire to unite with Russia. Moscow secures second base in Kyrgyzstan; Belarus halts task force. Putin does Captain Nemo.
Bloomberg reports that Russia has 'accused Georgia of firing at South Ossetia'. The Foreign Ministry states: 'the August 2008 event developed along similar lines'. Russia says it will not hesitate to fight back. Georgia has denied any such attack. EU monitors claim to have found no evidence of firing in the region. Georgia has claimed that Russian troops entered the village of Kveshi in an attempt to push back the border. 'Russia has largely achieved what it wanted' from last year's conflict with Georgia, says the FT. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has asserted that the breakaway state wants to 'be united with Russia' and that greater deployments of Russian troops would be welcomed. Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili seems to have accepted Joe Biden's assertion that military action to regain South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not be a possibility. Ellen Barry in the New York Times sees the Biden affair through the optic of different rhetorical habits.
Bloomberg reports that Russia has 'accused Georgia of firing at South Ossetia'. The Foreign Ministry states: 'the August 2008 event developed along similar lines'. Russia says it will not hesitate to fight back. Georgia has denied any such attack. EU monitors claim to have found no evidence of firing in the region. Georgia has claimed that Russian troops entered the village of Kveshi in an attempt to push back the border. 'Russia has largely achieved what it wanted' from last year's conflict with Georgia, says the FT. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has asserted that the breakaway state wants to 'be united with Russia' and that greater deployments of Russian troops would be welcomed. Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili seems to have accepted Joe Biden's assertion that military action to regain South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not be a possibility. Ellen Barry in the New York Times sees the Biden affair through the optic of different rhetorical habits.
Russia has sealed a deal to open a second military base in Kyrgyzstan, a step forward in its attempts to counter US influence in the region, the Washington Post suggests. Time magazine looks at the way 'the legacy of Soviet rule...shapes Central Asia's politics to this day'. At the CSTO meeting no decision was announced regarding a previously suggested special task force, as Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko refused to sign an agreement on it. The Azerbaijani Defense Minister has called Russia's mediation in the Nagorny Karabakh dispute 'encouraging'. Moscow and Kiev have apparently agreed to expel only one diplomat each. Russia may take retaliatory measures against Lithuania for banning entry to a journalist. The Guardian examines why Moscow has been hesitant in cultivating relations with China.
'A new dimension to his macho image' says the Washington Post of Putin's four-and-a-half hour submarine trip to see natural gas crystals. Around 50 activists have been detained at an unsanctioned Dissenter's March. 'An epidemic of witness tampering that bedevils courts across the country': the LA Times reports on the dangers of corruption trials.
PHOTO: Putin peaking out from a Mir-2 submarine in Lake Baikal on August 1, 2009. (Ria-Novosti / AP)
'A new dimension to his macho image' says the Washington Post of Putin's four-and-a-half hour submarine trip to see natural gas crystals. Around 50 activists have been detained at an unsanctioned Dissenter's March. 'An epidemic of witness tampering that bedevils courts across the country': the LA Times reports on the dangers of corruption trials.
PHOTO: Putin peaking out from a Mir-2 submarine in Lake Baikal on August 1, 2009. (Ria-Novosti / AP)
With growing anxiety the whole world is watching Caucasus. Russia and Georgia are getting ready for another war. While studying the Bible I found (in chapter 11 of the book of Daniel) a very interesting prophecy concerning this matter. The vision shows God's plan extending from ancient Persia up to "the end of days". Below I will point out some exciting details.
Verse 27 describes the transition from the fall of the Roman Empire to the second half of the 19th Century, when Russia took control over the regions which had previously belonged to Seleucus I, the ancient king of the north and in this way Russia took his position as "the king of the north". In 1882 England conquered Egypt and took the role of "the king of the south". About their superficial relationship we read: "And both these kings, their hearts (will be) to do evil [mischief], and at one table they will speak lie(s). But it will not succeed, for yet (the) end [ending period of time] to (the) appointed time." (11:27, literal translation)
What was to happen in that ending period of time? The next verse is linked with Russia's history after World War II: "And he ["the king of the north"] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [May 1945]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant; and will act effectively; and turn back to his own land [Russian troops came back to their own land after the dissolution of the Soviet Union]." (11:28, literal translation)
Daniel foretells here that "the king of the north" (Russia) will not only be successful in WW2, but also that he will return to his land with a great deal of goods. If only Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 advised him to stop military actions, the prophetic detail would have never been fulfilled.
Many wonder today why the plan of Stauffenberg failed. Some have called it the biggest misfortune of the 20th century. After the assassination attempt on the 20th of July 1944 Hitler believed that Providence protected him. This may be right as not only Russia's victory was decided but also the Russians return to their own land with a great deal of material goods. However, in order for this to happen, the Germans, after they had plundered Europe had to fight to the very end.
God's power is demonstrated by those prophecies. He had planned those events several thousand years ago. He is able by his power to control the course of history in such a way so that what he planned could be fulfilled down to the last detail. The prophecy certainly would not have been fulfilled if Adolf Hitler had listened to Mussolini and the Japanese, who in 1943 had advised him to cease the military activities or if the assassination attempt had ended successfully. The unsuccessful putsch is an example of God's power and that he watches his words in order to bring them to the completion. (Jeremiah 1:11,12) We can be sure of that when we examine closely God's other earlier prophecies.
What will the future bring to us? "At the appointed time he shall return (Russia regains its former control, Russian troops again based abroad) and come into the south (that might be Georgia), but it shall not be as (the) former [May 1945] or as (the) latter [August 2008]. For shall come against him (the) dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [the West], and he will be humbled, and will return." (Daniel 11:29,30a, literal translation)
The current economic recession does not appear to be coincidental as it might give Russia the possibility to regain control over many regions. The future will reveal the extent of Russia's return before it comes somewhere into the south and clashes with the West.