News and Prophecy Staff

Russia has become the primary source of natural gas for Germany, leaving some concerned that Russia could cut off the supply if hostilities erupt in the Ukraine and Germany opposes Russian moves in that area. However, the United States has been negotiating behind the scenes with the Arab nation of Qatar, which has an excess of natural gas and may be willing to temporarily supply Europe should the need arise (The Guardian, January 26, 2022).

With Russia’s massing of 100,000 troops on the border of the Ukraine in Eastern Europe, European nations are worried about a possible invasion and a broader war (BBC, January 18, 2022). Sweden recently moved hundreds of troops to Gotland Island in the Baltic, and Denmark strengthened its troop presence in the region—reigniting the question of whether these nations should join NATO.

Two weeks ago, the eruption of an underwater volcano off the coast of Tonga sent ash tens of thousands of feet into the sky and tsunami waves across thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean (New York Times, January 15, 2022). The eruption set off tsunami warnings around the Pacific Rim and along the entire west coast of the United States, where some residents were told to avoid low-lying coastal areas. The “boom” from the eruption was heard 1,430 miles away in New Zealand.

Deutsche Welle reports that, at a recent meeting of five of the world’s nuclear powers—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—leaders “pledged to prevent the proliferation of nuclear arms and have also said that nuclear war is not an option” (January 3, 2022).

When America pulled out of Afghanistan four months ago, it left a power vacuum that the Taliban quickly filled. Over the decades, the Taliban have shown themselves to be far more interested in their own agenda than in serving the people they rule. Since the departure of the U.S. and other coalition nations, Afghanistan has plunged further into chaos and poverty.