“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122: 6
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Majid Rafizadeh—Conflict escalation: Israel and the Shiite coalition:
According to the official news agency of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Sepah News, Gen. Mohammad Ali Allahdadi was killed in an Israeli air strike in Syria. The Iranian commander was killed alongside another six fighters from the powerful Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah in the Golan Heights.
The incident highlights several crucial developments. First of all, although Iranian leaders continue to deny that there are any Iranian troops operating on the ground in Syria, or reject that Tehran is taking sides in the Syrian civil war, the presence of Allahdadi adds more evidence to Iran’s deep involvement in the Syrian civil war.
In other words, Iran’s government is not only boosting President Bashar al Assad’s power through financial, advisory, and intelligence assistance, but also through military manpower that fights alongside the Syrian government against the oppositional and rebel groups.
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SnyderTalk Comment: Things are taking shape. Iran is intimately involved in clandestine operations and overt activities that are aimed at “wiping Israel off the map”.
In Syria, Iran is working to protect President Bashar al-Assad by providing weapons, fighters, money, and advisors.
In Iraq, Iran is fighting alongside Iraqi forces that are engaging ISIS.
In Lebanon, Iran is supplying Hezbollah with rockets, money, and advisors.
In Turkey, Iran is expanding ties with President Erdogan and increasing its influence.
In Israel, Iran is setting up operations in the West Bank and boldly declaring that it intends to launch attacks on Israel from the West Bank.
In Yemen, Iran was involved in the ouster of the Yemeni government thus increasing its influence there.
In Argentina, Iran was responsible for the assassination of Alberto Nisman—the prosecutor who led the investigation of the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Aid Society in Buenos Aires.
Around the world, Iran is flexing its muscles and trying to influence governments to become more pro-Islam, pro-Iran, and anti-Israel. Iran is even active in the United States under the not-so-watchful eye of President Obama.
I have a hard time understanding why anyone would criticize Israel’s Prime Minister for agreeing to address Congress about the growing Iran threat. Given Obama’s inept handling of Iran, I also have a hard time understanding why anyone would criticize House Speaker Boehner for inviting Netanyahu to address Congress.
I have no difficulty understanding why the Obama administration is critical of both Boehner and Netanyahu. They are exposing his incompetence. That’s not good for Obama politically, and it further tarnishes his already rotten legacy. The mainstream media won’t do its job and tell the truth. Somebody has to do it. Thankfully, Prime Minister Netanyahu is willing to.
Keep these things in mind in the days ahead as you read and hear about the debate between the Congress and President Obama about increasing sanctions on Iran.
The articles below are about the ongoing escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is Iran’s puppet. The real tension is between Israel and Iran. That’s one of the things that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to tell the world, and that’s what President Obama can’t abide. Telling the truth is something that our president has a hard time doing.
- Hezbollah seeks revenge but not war over Israeli strike
- ‘Hezbollah promised not to avenge Israeli attack from Lebanese soil’
The Shia-Sunni divide will eventually come into play in a big way, but for now it’s just background material. The recent Saudi succession may hurry the fireworks along.
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Charles Krauthammer: Iran’s Emerging Empire—Iran’s march toward conventional domination of the Arab world has been largely overlooked in Washington. For the Saudis and the other Gulf Arabs, this is a nightmare. They’re engaged in a titanic regional struggle with Iran. And they are losing – losing Yemen, losing Lebanon, losing Syria and watching post-U.S.-withdrawal Iraq come under increasing Iranian domination. The nightmare would be hugely compounded by Iran going nuclear.
Yaakov Lappin: Iran’s New Terror Base against Israel— Hezbollah, exploiting its presence in Syria, has been attempting to open a new front against Israel. Over the past 18 months, Hezbollah and its enablers from the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] have begun launching a series of attacks on Israel from their new center of operations in southern Syria. After Sunday’s air strike (attributed by the media to the Israel Air Force) that killed 12 high-ranking Hezbollah and IRGC operatives near Quneitra, Syria, along the Israeli border, Israel is bracing for the possibility of an attack by Hezbollah and Iran. Although Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the strike, it would make sense to view the action as a preemptive move designed to remove a clear and present danger arising on Israel’s border with Syria. The danger is the formation of a second Hezbollah terrorism base, in addition to Hezbollah’s home base already in Lebanon.
The Economist-UK: The Long Arm: Iran Is Expanding Its Influence Abroad—Officials in Tehran are not shy about their aim of spreading influence abroad, nor of their apparent success. Tehran can claim, with only a pinch of hubris, to run three Arab capitals: Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut. This week it may have added a fourth: Sana’a, Yemen’s capital. Moreover, an Israeli strike on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights that killed Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, an Iranian general, exposed Iranian meddling in another part of the Middle East. To its critics, Iran alarmingly holds sway from the Mediterranean Sea to the Fertile Crescent and the Gulf of Aden. “The Iranians are experts at taking advantage of chaos,” says Shimon Shapira, a retired military man now at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
Steven Mufson and Liz Sly: Middle East instability a test for relations between Obama and new Saudi leader—In the late 1980s, a U.S. diplomat in Riyadh went to ask a small favor from then-Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who replied: A friend who doesn’t help you is no better than an enemy who does you no harm. Now the United States and Saudi Arabia need each other’s help as much as ever, as the Middle East shudders from instability that stretches from Syria to Iraq to Yemen, spawning terrorist threats as well as threats to the legacy of American intervention in Iraq and the Saudi leadership role in the Arab world. President Obama, who was to arrive in India on Sunday morning to attend Republic Day celebrations, will drop plans to visit the Taj Mahal and make a detour Tuesday to Riyadh. There he will pay his respects to the late King Abdullah, who died Thursday, and firm up ties to the new king, Salman bin Abdul Aziz, who inherits this slate of problems along with his crown.
Sanjeev Miglani and Douglas Busvine: Obama announces nuclear ‘breakthrough’ on landmark India trip—In a glow of bonhomie, U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a breakthrough on nuclear trade on Sunday, a step that both sides hope will help establish an enduring strategic partnership. Obama said the two countries had made progress on two issues holding up commercial civil nuclear cooperation, one of the major irritants in bilateral ties. “We are committed to moving towards full implementation,” Obama told a joint news conference with Modi in the Indian capital. “This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship.”
Gulf News: A Greek tragedy of Olympic proportions—London: What’s the story? After joining the Euro in 2001 – and after a profligate decade that included an Euro 8 billion (Dh40 billion) Olympic Games and torrent of cheap money – Greece hit a fiscal cliff in 2010. Technically bankrupt, but without the ability to manipulate its own currency any more, it had no choice but to ask for international help. A series of bailouts agreed by the “troika” – the European commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund – worth a record Euro 240 billion in total, rescued the state’s balance sheet, but at a steep price. An austerity programme unprecedented in postwar European history stripped back social spending, sent unemployment soaring and ushered in a recession so deep that it ravaged the popularity of the traditional parties of power – the centre-right party New Democracy and the centre-left Pasok. New Democracy squeaked an election win in 2012, but yesterday’s vote is expected to favour the anti-austerity leftists of Syriza. How did this happen? Greece’s startling decline, from aspiring European power capable of hosting an Olympics to a bankrupt state flirting with anarchy, has left few winners. The economy has contracted by 25 per cent since 2008.
SnyderTalk Comment: This is a big deal and it will affect the United States.
Hussein Ibish: How King Abdullah Set Stage for Saudi Reforms — and Opening to Israel—Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud passed away on January 22 leaving a legacy of cautious, gradual reform in his own country and a key strategic relationship with the United States that, during his reign, at times was stretched almost to the breaking point. He also left his mark on the strategic landscape and future of the Middle East through his strategic positioning of Saudi Arabia in alliance with Egypt, a rivalry with Iran, and a thus-far unrequited opening to Israel. The overture to Israel came in the form of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative introduced by King Abdullah to the Arab League summit in Beirut. The proposal promised a complete normalization of relations between the Arab states and Israel in the context of a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territory and a “just” and “agreed upon” solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees. It was adopted unanimously by the League in 2002, and reaffirmed unanimously in 2007.
David Ignatius: Saudi Arabia’s Coming Struggle— Saudi watchers have been talking about the transition from King Abdullah for a decade, but now that it has arrived, it’s as mysterious as ever. The death of King Abdullah begins a period of generational change in the oil kingdom that may last for several years. Crown Prince Salman, the new king, is elderly and infirm, as is the next in line, Prince Muqrin. The Saudi royal family, which has proven itself adept at survival, will be struggling in the next days and months to decide who in the next generation should be positioned for eventual power.
Jeremy Havardi: “Unity”? About What Exactly?— The recent rally for free speech and against the terrorism in Paris initially appeared to have generated a surge of defiance and resolve, not just in France but around the world. People were actually talking about a turning point in the battle against terrorism and radical Islam. If only it were true. The reality is that much of the political class and media remain in denial about the events in Paris. Ban Ki Moon explained that the tragic events had nothing to do with religion. Signing a condolence book for the victims of the attacks, he said: “This is not a country, a war against religion or between religions… This is a purely unacceptable terrorist attack – criminality.” France’s President François Hollande said that the Charlie Hebdo fanatics had “nothing to do with Islam,” and he was joined in this view by commentators on France24, as well as the German Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière.
Saba E. Demian: Europe’s Civil War: The Politics of Separateness— Who captains this continent nowadays? Is it the richest, Germany, or is it the UK, which only linked itself geographically, belatedly, by the building a rail route under the English Channel? France insists on having its own path regardless. The European countries cannot be lumped together. The countries of the European Union [EU] are not culturally homogeneous. The Euro-Zone countries are economically separated from those outside this zone. Members of NATO — even the expanded NATO — are viewed differently militarily than those outside the organization. There are also, of course, distinct differences between the Eastern countries of the former USSR and its satellites, and Western democracies; between monarchies and republics; between Catholics and Protestants; between Muslim Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, European side of Turkey) and Christian Europe. These differences were resolved partially or totally, permanently or temporarily, to allow “business to go on.”
Raymond Ibrahim: The Significance of President El-Sisi’s Greetings— On January 6, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi became the first Egyptian president ever to visit the St. Mark Cathedral during Coptic Christmas Eve Mass and offer his good wishes to the nation’s Christian minority. Because Islamic law bans wishing non-Muslims well on their religious celebrations, all previous presidents — Nasser, Sadat, Mubarak, and of course Morsi — had never attended Coptic Christmas mass. As expected, the greetings el-Sisi received from the hundreds of Christians present were jubilant. His address was often interrupted by applause, clapping, and cheers of “We love you!” and “Hand in hand” — phrases he reciprocated. He said, among other things.
Ingrid Carlqvist and Lars Hedegaard: Denmark’s “Open Door” and its Limitless Beneficiaries— Last week, in the article “Sweden: From ‘Humanitarian Superpower’ to Failed State,” we promised to address the question of what motivates those who are opening the gates for the current massive influx of Muslims and other hard-to-integrate newcomers to Europe. There is no one simple answer but there are partial answers, which combined may shed some light onto “Who benefits?”. As a point of departure, let us revisit UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s and U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent joint press conference in the White House. Despite an impressive amount of huffing and puffing, they once again demonstrated that their understanding of Islam leaves much to be desired. A more sinister explanation is that they understand more than they are willing to say for fear of offending “1.6 billion Muslims.”
Kelvin Chan: Malaysia Air Site Hacked by Group Claiming Support for IS—Malaysia Airlines officials were struggling Monday to restore the embattled carrier’s website after it was hacked by a group proclaiming support for the militant Islamic State group. The airline’s site was changed, at first displaying a message saying “404 – Plane Not Found” and that it was “Hacked by Cyber Caliphate,” with a photo of one of the airline’s Airbus A380 superjumbo jets. The browser tab for the website said “ISIS will prevail.” Malaysian Airlines is trying to recover from twin disasters last year, including the disappearance of Flight 370, which authorities believed crashed 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) off Australia’s west coast, and the downing of Flight 17 over Ukraine.
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Netanyahu responds to critics: I will go everywhere I am invited to prevent Iranian nukes
Reporter who broke news of prosecutor’s death arrives in Israel after fleeing Argentina
18 recommendations that could determine Israel’s fate before the ICC
‘Israel warns Hezbollah: Don’t dare attack our targets abroad’
Israeli ambassador to US calls Netanyahu address a ‘sacred duty’
Analysis: Arab party unity deal – will it last?
Assad: Israeli strikes in Syria benefit al-Qaida
Iran and the state of Obama-land
Herzog may accept invite to Washington
Netanyahu presented with emergency plan to absorb 120,000 French Jews
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Otzma Yehudit Reveals Why Yishai Joint List Talks Failed
Media Election War: ‘Bibiton’ Lashes Out at ‘Bujiton’
Australian Politician Joins Kurds Fighting ISIS
And Now, Israel’s Leftist Filmmakers Take Aim at 6 Day War
Israeli Ambassador: Netanyahu Visit Not Meant to Insult Obama
Egypt Extends North Sinai Curfew by Three Months
Netanyahu: I Will Address Congress No Matter What
Watch: Jewish Kindergarten Torched in Lod
Ayala Shapira’s Attackers Targeted Family Twice
Town Demands Investigation of Police Brutality
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Ex-Obama aide says president not tough enough on Iran
Abbas’s rivalry with ascendent Dahlan heats up in Gaza
Ya’alon: Lebanon, Syria will be held responsible for revenge attacks
Israel’s former US envoy: PM should cancel Congress speech
Reporter who broke news of Nisman’s death is on his way to Israel
Nisman shot from at least 15 cm away, says Federal Police source
Nisman’s police protection team questioned over his death
Argentine Jews to boycott official Holocaust commemoration
France the most dangerous country for Jews — report
Fatah statement urges ‘resistance’ to IDF, settlers
Liberman orders party to buy up, distribute Charlie Hebdo
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FBI: Hunt continues for suspect in bomb threats against jets
ISIS demanding release of convicted terrorist to save Japanese hostage
Qatar-based cleric urges protests in Egypt on uprising’s anniversary
At least 18 killed as protesters clash with police in anniversary of Egypt’s revolution
Boko Haram crisis: Militants attack key city of Maiduguri
Did ECB’s new stimulus program just upset the Fed’s plans to boost rates?
ECB has one last chance to save euro with bond purchases
Tsipras pledges end to ‘vicious cycle of austerity’ at victory speech in Greece
Euro hits 11-year low in wake of Greek election
US condemns new separatist attack in Ukraine’s Mariupol, points finger at Russia
Russian-backed Rebels Promise Push on Port City to Force Ukraine Forces from Donetsk
Egypt’s Sisi Urges New Muslim Religious Discourse to Fight “Terrorism”
Israel Calls on Europe: Take a Stand Against Anti-Semitism
Israeli Delegation Visits India to Strengthen Strategic Relationship
U.S. Fears Chaos as Government of Yemen Falls
SnyderTalk Comment: I fear for the United States. Our nation has led the way for the Islamist terrorist surge. Our political leaders won’t admit it, and the mainstream media won’t report it because it undermines the narrative about Obama that they want to promote.
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Thomas Friedman wonders why Obama whitewashes radical Islam
‘Netanyahu’s speech is vital to prevent bad Iran nuclear deal’
The right speech at the right time
Obama, Congress and a nuclear Iran
Fact Checker: Has Iran’s Nuclear Program Been “Halted” and Its Nuclear Stockpile “Reduced”?
How Congress Can Use Its Leverage on Iran
Strike Against Hizbullah in Syrian Golan Was Warning Not to Prepare Another Front Against Israel
Chain of Islamic terror and hatred
With Yemeni leader ousted, counterterrorism efforts in limbo
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Genesis 46: 1-4
1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.”
SnyderTalk Comment: Read His Name is Yahweh.
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His Name is Yahweh explains why the Name of God, Yahweh, is so important. It’s available in eBook format and in paperback. It’s also available for free in PDF format.
- God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This [Yahweh] is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3: 15)
- “Therefore behold, I am going to make them know—this time I will make them know My power and My might; and they shall know that My name is Yahweh.” (Jeremiah 16: 21)
- “Behold, the days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, ‘Yahweh our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23: 5-6)
- Yeshua said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8: 58)
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Obey Yahweh and Let the Name Jesus Go
Click here to download the entire audio presentation for free and with no strings attached. Share it as often as you want.
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Blessings in the Book of Revelation is a book that you need to read, especially now. There are blessings throughout the Scriptures but Revelation is the only book in the Bible actually containing a specific blessing for reading it. It’s repeated twice, once at the beginning and again at the end. This is the reason that I believe Revelation should be the first step toward studying biblical prophecy. Though not easy to do, Revelation can be broken down and understood by anyone, not just the academic elite. So, Revelation’s blessings are for everyone. Click here to order the eBook. Click here to order the paperback.
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Other Books by Neil Snyder
- Stand! is a suspense novel that exposes the lies, corruption, and greed underlying the theory that man-made CO2 emissions are responsible for global warming. Professor Wes Carlyle and Karen Sterling, his research collaborator, carefully scan the audience for their would-be attacker—a member of the enviro-gestapo who has been following them for days. Wes spots his man in the back of the room leaning against the wall. Suddenly, another man in the audience steps forward and moves toward Karen at a menacing pace. With a vicious stroke, he swings a billy club at her head. Click here to order the eBook. Click here to order the paperback.
- What Will You Do with the Rest of Your Life? deals with a question that every Christian has to consider: what should I do with my life? Click here to order the eBook. Click here to order the paperback.
- Falsely Accused is a true story about a young woman who was accused of committing a double homicide. It’s about a travesty of justice, and it reveals Yahweh intervening in the life of a believer to rescue her from danger in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Everyone will enjoy the book, but young people in particular need to read it because the mistakes made that led to the problem could have been avoided. They were the kinds of mistakes that young people are prone to make. As they say, forewarned is forearmed. Click here to order the eBook. Click here to order the paperback.
