February 18, 2005
By Bill Wilson, KIN senior staff correspondent
WASH — Russia is inching Iran and Syria ever closer to conflict in the Middle East, calling into question the motives and credibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has publicly vouched this week for Syria and Iran. Meanwhile, both Syria and Iran are drawing unfriendly attention from U.S. President George W. Bush, who has said Syria is “out of step” with the international community and the U.S. will support Israel “if their security is threatened” by Iran.
President Bush, in his news conference after announcing the appointment of Ambassador John Negroponte to Director of National Intelligence, had sharp words for both of the world’s foremost state sponsors of terrorism. “But clearly, if I was the leader of Israel, and I listened to some of the statements by the Iranian ayatollahs about -- that regarded my security of my country, I'd be concerned about Iran having a nuclear weapon, as well. And in that Israel is our ally, and in that we've made a very strong commitment to support Israel, we will support Israel if -- if there's a -- if their security is threatened,” the President said of Iran.
On Syria, the President was equally emphatic, “We've recalled our ambassador, which indicates that the relationship is not moving forward, that Syria is out of step with the progress being made in a greater Middle East, that democracy is on the move. And this is a country that isn't moving with the democratic movement.” The President said he has made it clear that, “Syria should not use its territory to support international terrorist groups. We expect them to adhere to 1559 -- U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the removal of troops from Lebanon. And we expect them to help free and fair elections to take place in Lebanon.”
Meantime, Russian President Putin is using his position to paint a different picture. Putin today said he was convinced Iran was not trying to build a nuclear weapon and that Russia would continue its nuclear exchange with the rogue nation. Putin said, "The latest steps by Iran convince Russia that Iran indeed does not intend to produce nuclear weapons and we will continue to develop relations in all sectors, including peaceful atomic energy." Earlier this week, Putin said that he had received assurances from Syria that the sophisticated missile system to be purchased by Syria would not fall into the hands of terrorists.
The world media seems to just accept these statements without questioning their validity. This is reminiscent of the old Soviet Union propaganda initiatives. Of course, Syria would say it will not give the missiles to terrorists. Syria does not believe it is a sponsor of terrorism, as it views Hezbollah and al Qaeda as patriotic fighters against Zionist aggression and occupation. Iran, most assuredly, would claim it is not developing nuclear weapons as it has all along, yet it will not agree to stop enriching weapons grade uranium and it continues to build missiles that can carry nuclear payloads.
Mr. Putin’s credibility is now on the line. It appears he has made a decision to counterbalance the superpower preeminence of the United States and he is willing to use the Middle East to accomplish his policy objectives. Russia is headlong into supporting Islamic nations hostile to Israel—Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran and prior to that the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. That Putin is publicly defending Syria and Iran signals a more aggressive nature to Russia’s previous behind the scenes dealings with weapons and oil.
Russia’s moves appear to step up the timetable of possible prophetic fulfillment of end time events. Those who watch eschatology are now paying particular attention to two passages, one in Ezekiel 38 and another in Isaiah 17. The Ezekiel passage speaks of how Gog, which is modern Russia, will come against Israel along with Persia, which is modern Iran. Iran’s common defense pact with Syria is a signal that Iran wishes for Syria to take the lead in doing Iran’s bidding close to Israel. This brings into play the first verse of Isaiah 17 which says, “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.”
http://www.watch.org/showart.php3?idx=65202&rtn=/index.html&showsubj=1&mcat=1