News and Prophecy Staff

“After decades of mutual suspicion—and one short border conflict—Beijing and Moscow are drawing closer as they simultaneously challenge the U.S.-led security architecture that has prevailed since the Soviet collapse” (Wall Street Journal, October 1, 2014).

Already this year Germany has spent more on U.S. investments than it did in the previous two decades (Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2014). “The latest deals bring to almost $70 billion the total value of German acquisitions announced in the U.S. so far this year, according to Dealogic” (ibid.). The motive behind these acquisitions is that Europe’s economy is still contracting, while the U.S. economy is expanding—making the U.S.

The Franco-German relationship that has held Europe together is faltering. “‘The problem is that the relationship has become deeply unbalanced,’ said Dominique Moïsi, a senior adviser at the French Institute for International Relations.

In a recent visit to a northern Italian cemetery, the Pope made some profound remarks.

Reports indicate that the Islamic extremists of ISIS are “planning to capture the city of Arar in Saudi Arabia” which is close to the Iraqi border and within a day’s drive of Mecca. The leaders of ISIS know that “if you want to control Islam, you have to control Mecca…ISIS knows the only way to enhance legitimacy among Muslims for its ‘Caliphate’ is to control Mecca” (The Times, September 26, 2014).