In a move that stunned some analysts and even members of Congress, Russia, Iran, Syria, and Iraq announced they would form an intelligence-sharing unit headquartered in Baghdad.
In 2003, the United States went to war in Iraq to stop Saddam Hussein from building, acquiring, and using weapons of mass destruction. After winning the war, we stayed and helped rebuild Iraq at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars, and many U.S. lives.
Out of that sacrifice, Iraq gained a new, representative government and a real chance at prosperity.
When the U.S. left Iraq without leaving a significant troop presence, ISIS filled the vacuum. And the Iraqi forces crumbled before their new enemy.
America and some of its allies went back in with an air campaign that has been ineffective, to put it mildly.
In the past, U.S. and Iraqi forces have worked in close consultation, including in the areas of intelligence gathering and sharing. But now, any U.S. intelligence shared with Iraq will be passed on to Russia, Iran, and the military forces of Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad.
How did this happen? The U.S. has been fighting Iraq’s enemies, propping up its economy, building schools, hospitals, and power plants in Iraq for more than a decade. If America should have leverage with any nation, it should be Iraq.
But Iraq has obviously sold out U.S. interests in favor of Russia and Iran. Why? I think two reasons present themselves rather quickly.
First, America’s allies have found her to be less than trustworthy over the last few years. Just ask the Kurds, Ukraine, the children of Afghanistan, and Israel.
The other reason that Iraq has turned to Iran is something that American policymakers, even those on the right, fail to grasp. In that region, religion is stronger than politics.
Shia Muslims constitute a majority in both Iraq and Iran, making them natural allies. And though most Syrians are Sunni, Assad himself is an Alawite, a form of Shia Islam.
Now, to many observers, Russia’s involvement presents a mystery, perhaps one that even Vladimir Putin himself doesn’t understand. By allying itself with Iran and moving into Syria to prop up al-Assad, Russia has aligned itself with the Shi’ites and against the Sunni population of Syria. In fact, against 85% of Muslims worldwide, because Shia Islam comprises only 15% of all Muslims. While there may be short-term advantages to Russia’s new involvement in the Middle East, in the long run, it makes no sense. Unless…
Unless it’s a hook being slipped into Putin’s jaw.
Ezekiel wrote that God said, “Behold I am against you, O Gog (the leader of Magog – modern Russia), prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. And I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws.” This means that Russia will ally itself with Persia (modern Iran) and will be drawn into a climactic war with Israel during the Tribulation.
Russia and Iran have been fierce enemies since the 18th century. But now, just as the Bible predicted, near the end, they are forming a new and deadly alliance.
This story continues in Israel Prime Minister speaks Biblical Truth about nations opposing Israel – read here.
from The Hal Lindsey Report – October 9, 2015
