WORLD AT WAR: 10.8.22 - Russia Will Use Its Ally, a Nuclear-Armed Iran, to Better Threaten the West

Russia Will Use Its Ally, a Nuclear-Armed Iran, to Better Threaten the West - by Con Coughlin - https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18950/russia-ally-nuclear-iran The nationwide anti-government protests sweeping Russia and Iran demonstrate that, despite the efforts of these two rogue regimes to increase the level of military cooperationbetween Moscow and Tehran, the overwhelming demand of the majority of ordinary Russians and Iranians is freedom from dictatorial rule. One of the more alarming global developments in recent months has been the deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran as they seek to challenge the West on a number offronts. Russia has played a key role in supporting Iran's efforts to thwart the negotiating process aimed at reviving the controversial nuclear deal with Tehran since the start ofthe negotiations in Vienna last year. While Iran is providing Russia with military equipment to support its war in Ukraine, Russia is supporting Iran's refusal to comply with Western demands to come clean aboutthe true extent of its nuclear arsenal. As previously reported on these pages, the Russians have actively encouraged Tehran to concentrate on relatively minor issues during the negotiations, such as when and wherecamera monitors can operate at sensitive nuclear sites in Iran. By concentrating on what are regarded as peripheral concerns, the Iranian delegation has been successful in steering the talks away from core issues, such as the extent ofthe progress it has made in enriching uranium to weapons-grade. As one of the signatories of the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the flawed nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration, Russia, as well as China,will ultimately have a say in any new agreement that emerges from the Vienna talks. Rather than seeking to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, Beijing and Moscow are more interested in forming an alliance with Iran to counter what they denounce as America's unilateralism,and thwarting "draconian" US sanctions. Given Moscow's open hostility towards the West, it is abundantly clear that the Kremlin wants to exploit the weakness of the Biden administration to ensure the negotiationsprovide an even more unsatisfactory deal than the one signed off by Barack Obama in 2015, one that completely fails to address the very real threat Iran's nuclear weapons will pose to the wider world. From Moscow's perspective, having a nuclear-armed Iran, one that is Russia's ally, will greatly enhance its ability to challenge the West. In return, Iran has formed a new "axis of evil" with Moscow, providing it with weaponry, such as sophisticated drones, to support its war effort in Ukraine, while at the timeproviding assistance to Tehran to evade the effects of Western sanctions. While these two despotic regimes seem determined to forge an ever closer alliance, however, their objectives are completely at odds with the demands of their respective citizens,whose primary concern is securing their freedom, not supporting the military aspirations of the ruling elites. In Russia, the latent hostility among ordinary Russians to Putin's kleptomaniac regime has manifested itself in nationwide protests against the Russian leader's attempts tomobilize 300,000 reservists to help support his disastrous military campaign in Ukraine. Nationwide disgust at Putin's unprovoked assault on Ukraine has seen hundreds of thousands of young Russians fleeing to the borders in a desperate attempt to avoid the horrorsof conscription, and being made to fight in a war none of them supports. In Iran, meanwhile, the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini as she was detained in custody by Iran's morality police, allegedly for refusing to wear a hijab, has resulted inIranians of all ages taking to the streets across the country in mass protests and shouting "death to the dictator", a reference to the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's security forces have reacted to the anti-government protests with their customary brutality; figures at the time of writing estimate at least 76 people killed in thegovernment's crackdown. Even so, the anti-regime protests have continued to spread, with more than 80 cities and towns affected by the violence since Amini's funeral on September 17. For many Iranians, the death of Amini, who reportedly died after being struck several times on the head, is the last straw, and the demonstrations represent the biggest anti-governmentuprising since the 2009 Green Revolution. The deepening unrest in both Russia and Iran should certainly give the Biden administration pause for thought as it weighs up its next move on the nuclear negotiations. There is growing concern in Washington that US President Joe Biden is preparing to sign a new deal with Tehran once the midterm elections have been concluded, and that hisofficials are prepared to sign a far weaker version of the deal than that originally agreed to in 2015. At a time when both the Russian and Iranian governments are battling nationwide dissent, this would be a grave miscalculation on the part of the Biden administration. This should be the moment when the US and its allies are intensifying the pressure on both Iran and Moscow, not capitulating to their interests with a weak nuclear deal whichwill only encourage them to indulge in further acts of aggression against the West and its allies. -------------------------- Peace and Safety Ponderings � Terry James - https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2022/10/02/peace-and-safety-ponderings/ Do you find it odd, at the very least, that while there are direct threats of nuclear attacks by the leader of Russia, here in the US it is pretty much business as usual?I mean by that there is nothing during this hour like the fears in America I remember as a 20-year-old back during the so-called Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at the possible use of tactical nuclear weaponry to achieve victory in the war against Ukraine. Now he has announced in his recordedmessage that there will be a major call-up of Russian men in a draft, Russian style. They are even taking prisoners from their gulag camps to flesh out their military muscle. Putin threatened the US directly saying the nuclear winds could �blow your way.� This, even though winds blowing this direction would not be the case if Ukraine was the focusof his assault with nuclear weapons. The �winds� would blow into Russia, because of prevailing dynamics of weather, etc. He meant, obviously, for Americans to infer that there might be nuclear missiles coming our way if he began using them against his Ukrainian enemies and if we dared to tryto intervene. Dmitry Medvedev, former president of Russia and now a top Russian governmental official, has backed up the Russian dictator�s threat by saying they don�t rule out the useof tactical nukes, or even strategic nuclear weaponry�which includes ICBMs. Have you noticed that there seems relatively little pushback or even significant rhetoric coming from the American State Department or this presidential administration againstthe Russian threats? In 1962, the Soviet buildup and move into Cuba was met with tremendous counterthreats. President Kennedy even warned directly on television that any launch of Soviet missilesagainst the US or against any other nation would bring immediate retaliatory response against the Soviet Union. Now, with Putin�s threats ratcheting up, the present occupant of the White House has gone before the UN to talk�not about possible nuclear war, but about the so-called climatecrisis. There seems no major concern within the ranks of Western diplomacy that Putin might initiate the world blowing up in nuclear conflict. All of this started me pondering about the prophetic warning given through Paul the apostle. �But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.� (1 Thessalonians 5:1�3) Why, I ask myself, is there no cry for peace and safety, like in the days of yore? There should be. But I find in my observations that the people of the US seem obliviousto Putin�s threats for the most part. For those of you who were alive and old enough to remember during the Cuban Missile Crisis, you will recall how it was a nerve-wracking time. Now, such threat seems just anotherho-hum news story. My own thinking is that an all-out nuclear exchange just won�t happen this side of the Rapture of the Church. Such a scenario simply doesn�t fit God�s prophetic Word fromthe pre-Trib view of Bible prophecy. Such a monstrous event would certainly take the world out of the time of �business as usual� that is indicated by Jesus� prophecy as given in Luke 17: 26�30, as I�ve often parsed in these columns. Such a scenario does fit, however, what I believe Jesus prophesied regarding His intervention in that Luke 17 passage. The very day that Lot went out of Sodom (taken out by God�s angels), judgment fell. Jesus said it will be just like that when He next catastrophically intervenes. In Sodom that day, that judgment completely obliterated everything and everyone left once Lot and his family were removed. Certainly nuclear explosions would do likewise whenstriking cities. There seems no concern, no cry for peace and safety regarding this threat by Putin, who certainly holds sufficient nuclear power to carry out such judgment as Jesus prophesied.And that prophecy will be fulfilled at some point. Maybe by the time this article circulates, that cry for peace and safety will be running wild. But as of this writing, the people of America, in particular, seem relativelyquiet. Russian people, on the other hand, are at of this moment leaving Russia en masse. Their roads and airports are said to be inundated with people trying to flee. They seem tohave no doubt that there are about to be major nuclear exchanges�or some such military conclusion to the war Russia is waging against Ukraine and threatening to wage against the Western world, particularly the United States. God�s Word foretells a cry for peace and safety that brings sudden destruction from which the peoples of the world will not escape. Jesus says it will be business as usualright up until, like in Lot�s time, His Church is removed. I must conclude, therefore, that a Russian nuclear attack, at least on a massive scale, just won�t take place�for now, at least. Such a cry for peace and safety will no doubt be forthcoming when there are such nuclear explosions taking place. As a matter of fact, there will be a great peacemaker�a falsepeacemaker the world will accept to the point of worship, who will make that covenant Israel will accept. It will be the covenant of death and hell described in Isaiah 28, verses 15 and 18. He will be viewed as history�s great peacemaker. He will, in fact, be history�s most vicious tyrant, and will bring humanity to the brink of extinction. We have recounted in these columns the many things shaping for that time of Tribulation. No need to recount them again here in detail. However, here are some in brief. Culture and society within America and much of the world have become like in Sodom at the time Lot and family were removed. The globalists are constructing their one worldorder from which Antichrist will destroy mightily. These are bringing in a monetary/economic order that will fulfill Revelation 13:16�18, the marks and number system of 666. The religions of the world are proposing to come together somewhat, with the one whomthey claim as the head of Christendom, the Catholic pope, preaching that there are many ways to God. God has obviously, observably, turned America�s current leadership�and much of the nation�over to the reprobate mind of Romans 1: 28 because of those people turning theirbacks on Him. Israel is in rapid-mode preparation for reinstituting Temple worship, with the recent five red heifers and rail preparation for train transport, etc. With most people treating as ho-hum signals that point to the trajectory toward the Tribulation this doomed world is swiftly moving, Paul�s further prophetic warning is centralin my ponderings. �And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.� (Luke 21:34�35) Here�s how to make sure to be kept out of the fear-filled hour described above. �That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heartman believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.� (Romans 10:9�10) --------------------------- Embarrassment On A Global Scale � By Amir Tsarfati - https://harbingersdaily.com/worldview-w-amir-tsarfati-embarrassment-on-a-global-scale/ Following the explosion of Nord Stream 1 & 2, the Swedish Minister of Energy suggested that the explosion was likely the result of an attack from another country. Russianforeign intelligence is claiming that a western country was involved in the execution of the incident. Adding salt to the wound, Russia continues to target the civilian population in Ukraine. Last week, the Russians hit a convoy of Ukrainian refugees trying to flee the contestedregion of Zaporizhzhia. At least 23 people were killed in the attack. However, the most notable moment related to Russia surfaced when Vladimir Putin announced that four Ukrainian provinces have been officially annexed to Russia. As of this week, Russia considersany attack against these annexed areas an attack against Russia itself. The Biden Administration responded with widened sanctions on Russian officials following the announcement of the annexation. Not only is Russia hinting at the future use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but the Chechen Republic is also encouraging the Russians to proceed in this manner following theRussian retreat from Liman in Eastern Ukraine. Just days ago, NATO warned its member states of Russia�s deployment of the K-329 Belgorod Nuclear Submarine equipped with the Poseidon Nuclear Missile. This week, Russia began nuclear tests on its border withUkraine. Russia even has its hand in what�s taking place regarding the lack of oil output via OPEC+. The current oil cut is the largest since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Russiais influencing this lack of output in an attempt to increase oil prices around the world. Iran continues to struggle internally with a host of riots taking place in opposition to the corrupt regime. Recently, at least 19 people were killed and several others wereinjured in the Sistan and Baluchistan provinces alone. A statue of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was set on fire at one of the protests. He�s considered a national hero in the eyes of the ayatollahs. But Iran has other problems, as its currency,the rial, hit an all-time low of 330,000 rials to one dollar. A young lady named Nika Shakarami was kidnapped by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces throughout the protests last week. After an extensive search for her body,her family was asked to come identify that which was found. She had been beaten extensively before being killed and was buried elsewhere. When it comes to Iran and Russia, the former is being humiliated by its own people and is imploding economically. The latter is being embarrassed on a global scale due toits lack of success in Ukraine and is dealing with a crumbling economy. Believe me, war is closer than ever. Nearly two dozen people were killed in an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, that was carried out by Sunni extremists. Sadly, the Biden Administration had a role in pressuring Israel to give up some of its territory in order to resolve the dispute related to the Israel-Lebanon maritime border.Our current prime minister, Yair Lapid, was called out by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his agreement with US officials to consider handing over some of Israel�s sovereign territory. The idea of giving up land for peace has never and willnever work when the people you�re dealing with want to eliminate you from the face of the earth. Israel officially rejected the Lebanese remarks to its proposal on Thursday. Iran is continuing to threaten the UAE and Saudi Arabia following the expiration of the ceasefire between the Saudi Kingdom and the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis are fundedby Iran and are responsible for countless rocket attacks on Saudi and Emirati oil resources. North Korea wanted to stay relevant this week, so it decided to send a missile in the direction of Japan, which would ultimately end up in the ocean. Japan called on its citizensin the northeastern region of the country to take shelter and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol warned that his country would respond to the incident. On Thursday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Thursday after the United States redeployed an aircraft carrier near the KoreanPeninsula in response to Pyongyang�s previous launch of a nuclear-capable missile over Japan. Tens of thousands of Jews could be seen at the Western Wall ahead of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) early this week. My prayer is that the people of Israel would come tofind that their eternal atonement has been made in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. ---------------------- To Nuke or Not to Nuke? What Will Putin Do? � Lt. Gen. (Ret.)William G. Boykin - https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5640 On September 30, Russia's President Vladimir Putin declared once again that he would use "all available means" to defend Russian territory. The New York Times reported: Mr. Putin reminded the world of President Harry S. Truman's decision to drop atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, 77 years ago, adding, 'By the way, they createda precedent.' On Saturday, the strongman leader of the southern Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said Mr. Putin should consider using 'low-yield nuclear weapons' in Ukraine, becoming the first prominent Russian official to openly call for sucha strike. With this latest threat in mind, it is noteworthy that days before Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin was personally overseeingmilitary exercises with Belarus -- exercises that were blatantly nuclear in nature. On February 18, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced his willingness to join Vladimir Putin in strategic nuclear drills, a day after annual strategic drills ofnuclear-capable missiles were to take place "under the supervision of Russian armed forces supreme commander-in-chief, Vladimir Putin." Those well-publicized nuclear exercises happened just six days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched on February 24. At the time, Putin authorized "special militaryoperations," and Russian forces began missile and artillery attacks, striking major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv. The earlier military exercises in Belarus -- which flaunted nuclear capabilities -- was Putin's way of psychologically preparing his enemies for the Ukraine invasion. In theweeks and months to follow, he has repeatedly employed nuclear threats and insinuations to bolster his power. Notably, he has immediately put those nuke threats to use when things aren't going his way. Putin has continued to use such words as "escalating" and "provocative" to describe Ukraine's military operations, intentionally triggering fears of his own potentially deadlyresponses. And while many observers have implied that Putin is bluffing about nukes, or that he would not dare to use the weapons he has at his disposal -- both strategic and tactical -- Putin's threats should be taken seriously. There are three countries concerned with this conflict that have both strategic and tactical nuclear weapons: Britain, France, and the United States. If Russia employed anykind of a nuclear weapon in a NATO or EU country, or close enough to a border to cause harm, that action would activate NATO Article 5: all NATO countries are obligated to respond in unity when one is attacked. Putin knows this would instigate a nuclear response. The only time Article 5 has been invoked was in September 2001, following the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Likewise, if Russia initiated a nuclear attack on Ukraine,due to the proximity of several NATO countries' vulnerability to radiation fallout, a collective defense would be unique and enduring. In fact, it would be the preferred course of action. First of all, it is obvious to all concerned -- including Vladimir Putin -- that the use of a strategic nuclear weapon would lead to the destruction of Moscow, followed byan unimaginable conflict costing the lives of millions around the world. And Putin knows that nobody would win. But what about the use of a tactical nuke? These are weapons for localized use, targeting military formations, ammunition depots or command and control centers. They wouldbe launched by use of bombs, short-range missiles, artillery tubes, land mines, depth charges, and torpedoes equipped with nuclear warheads. "If the Russians have it in their arsenal as a conventional weapon, you can be pretty safe in assuming it has a nuclear warhead that goes with it," said an unidentified formersenior National Security Council official, who still advises U.S. Strategic Command. "Almost every single weapon the Russians have is nuclear-capable. If it's an artillery system, if it's an air-defense system, if it's a torpedo, if it's a cruise missile,it could have a nuclear warhead with it." So, would Putin launch such an attack? And if he wanted to, would the people around him permit him to do so? They know what is at stake also and have a lot to lose in a conventionalnuclear exchange. What about the oligarchs that support Putin, who are also wealthy people with interests of their own? Could they stop him? The fact is that if Putin uses any kind of nuclear weapon -- even a tactical one -- the war is over and he will have lost. The use of tactical nuclear weapons would most likelycause the drift of radiation across borders into NATO countries. This would prompt an immediate Article 5 response. Subsequently, faced with a combined force of NATO assets -- a missile and/or drone attack along with the massive use of conventional weaponsdropped from NATO aircraft -- Putin's army would be pulverized, including his army in Crimea. Russia has 4,477 total nuke warheads. Among those thousands, we know that some 1,900 are tactical, low yield and not strategic. They could be used to attack a column of tanks,an aircraft carrier group, or many other specific targets. Meanwhile, 600-800 are strategic and could destroy entire cities. Putin clearly has weapons available to him. But is it credible that he would actually use a nuke? Or, as many hopefully imply, is hebluffing? It is clear that in the days before he officially launched his Ukraine invasion, Putin made specific and intentional preparations to upscale his image as a nuclear player.He did so fully intending to intimidate the west with potential Russian nuclear activity. The military Belarus exercises were blatantly nuclear in nature, providing Putin with a means of bullying and otherwise threatening his foes with devastating destruction-- which he has continued to do. But again, is this just part of his propaganda campaign? Today we know little about Putin's present state of mind or level of emotional vulnerability. How desperate might he become as he watches failure after failure of his once-vauntedarmy and his supposedly invincible battle plans? The best we can do now is continue to protect Ukraine. Because, despite his saber-rattling and nuclear warnings, it is likely Vladimir Putin would make careful calculationsbefore taking such dire action. If not, he surely knows that he will be faced with non-stop retaliation and unimaginable destruction.