Shalom from beautiful Galilee! There are some weeks when there is not much going on in the world. Then there are others that, when you come to the end of the seven days, you sit back and say, “Whew! What in the world is going on?” That is how I feel as this seven-day cycle coming to a close. 

One of the most difficult parts of writing this each week is determining what stories should and should not be mentioned. I try to keep it to 8-12 news blurbs below. Some weeks we go a little longer; some a little less. I don’t think this will be one of those “less” weeks. I will not be able to touch on all that is going on. So, please, let me once again encourage you to subscribe to my Telegram channel, if you haven’t already.

My hope is that this [article] will be an easy-to-use resource for you, so that you can know what is going on in the world. And, when it is applicable, I will run global events through the perspective of what God is doing in Israel and what He has planned for this world as we rapidly see the day of His return drawing near.

The Middle East

Turkey and Syria Face a Monumental Task

Clean-up in Turkey and Syria continues following the historic earthquakes of ten days ago. Miraculously, survivors are still being pulled from the rubble. But those stories are becoming fewer as nearly all of those found now add to the death toll that has already exceeded 41,000. The incredible devastation can be attributed to two primary factors. First, the shallowness of the quake enhanced the violence of the earth’s movement. Second, poor building construction was rampant leaving houses, apartments, and high-rises all susceptible to collapse. A police task force in Turkey is already making arrests as investigations into the shoddy work has begun. As evidence that evil finds every opportunity, earthquake aid that is being sent to an already war-ravaged Aleppo, Syria, is being taken by pro-Iranian militias before it has a chance to get to those who need it.

Russia Continues its Attack as Moscow Prepares for Major Offensive

In a scene reminiscent of World War II, Kyiv’s citizens took refuge in the subway from another massive cruise missile attack by Russia. More than 100 missiles targeted cities across the nation last Friday, while suicide drones made strategic attacks on factories and electrical stations. Norwegian intelligence has reported that for the first time in 30 years, ships and submarines of Russia’s Northern Fleet are carrying nuclear weapons. Many are keeping their eyes on high level meetings that are taking place in Moscow, wondering if an official declaration of war may be the result. Factoring in the decision are, first, the deep involvement of NATO countries arming Ukraine as if it is already a member nation. The second factor is the revelation of the likely involvement of the US, UK, and Norway in the explosions that sabotaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. The next nine days will be crucial.

Russian Cruise Missiles Bring Down Moldovan Government

Two of Friday’s Russian cruise missiles crossed through Romanian and Moldovan airspace on their way to Ukraine. That provocation was the straw that broke the back of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita’s government, which was already weakened by rampant inflation and an Moscow-induced energy crisis. In announcing her resignation, she said that no one expected her government “would have to manage so many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine.” As President Maia Sandu nominated Gavrilita’s replacement, she leveled an accusation against Moscow of planning a pro-Russian coup in Moldova in order to establish a government that would be loyal to the Kremlin.

Russian General Found Shot Dead

A month ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked 67-year-old Major General Vladimir Makarov from his position as deputy head of the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Combating Extremism. On Monday, he was found shot dead of an apparent suicide. But the word ‘apparent’ is very important, because Makarov is just the latest in a series of deaths of those who have gotten on the wrong side of the president. Businessmen, politicians, and military personnel are all represented on the list of those who have plunged from buildings, fallen off cliffs, and tumbled down stairs. Several, just in the last year, have been found murdered along with their spouses and children. Others, like General Makarov, may or may not have taken their own lives. 

Groundwork Laid with Sudan for Building a Red Sea Russian Military Base

In the latest Ezekiel 38 war sighting, Khartoum has reached an understanding with Moscow for building a Russian military base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. In return, the African country would be supplied with weapons and military equipment. All that is left is for the Sudanese government to approve the agreement. Unfortunately for Russia, that might be a while. Sudan has not had an official government since the military overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 and a subsequent military coup in October 2021. According to the prophet Ezekiel, Sudan is one of the nations that will join Russia in its attack on Israel.

Palestinian Terrorist Drives Car into Crowded Israeli Bus Stop

Evil reared its ugly head on Friday when a Palestinian terrorist intentionally drove a car into a crowded Jerusalem bus stop, killing three. A 20-year-old man and a six-year-old boy were killed on the spot. The boy’s eight-year-old brother, who had been rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, died the next day. The 31-year-old terrorist was shot and killed. The brutal attack was celebrated in Palestinian streets with singing, dancing, and the passing out of treats.

Israel Begins Shipping Oil from Karish Oil/Gas Field

Israel joined the oil exporters club this past week by loading crude from the Karish field and sending it on its way to Europe. In a related story, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express the nation’s condolences over the earthquake, and to discuss, among other things, the possibility of exporting natural gas through Turkey to Europe.

Hacktivists Interrupt Televised Speech by Iranian President

The Iranian hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali (“Ali’s Justice”) on Saturday interrupted President Ebrahim Raisi’s live televised speech in which he was celebrating the 44th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. After breaking into the broadcast, a masked figure called for widespread demonstrations to be held today, February 16, while the phrase “Death to Khamenei” was displayed in a graphic.

Lebanese Lira Reaches All-Time Low

In this week’s episode of “As the Lira Plunges”, the Lebanese currency on Tuesday reached a record low 74,000 to the US dollar. Citizens have begun burning banks as a result of their anger and frustration. As long as the Hezbollah terrorists have Lebanon’s government tightly in their grip, the tragic destruction of the country will continue.

Train Derailment Causes Ecological Disaster in United States

While everyone in America had their eyes trained on the sky looking for balloons, an ecological disaster of epic proportions was taking place on the ground. On February 3, a Norfolk Southern Railroad train consisting of three engines and 150 cars derailed near East Palestine, Ohio. Eleven of the cars that were damaged were carrying hazardous chemicals, which began to drain into two nearby streams. Three days after the accident, a controlled burn of the chemicals was initiated to prevent an explosion. Since the derailment, fish are turning up dead and other animal species are showing evidence of harm. Almost two weeks later, people’s eyes are still burning and the entire town has a foul smell to it. While the government is saying everything is okay, the people aren’t buying it and they are demanding answers.

China Considers Tripling Nuclear Arsenal

As tensions rise with the US over Taiwan, China is considering tripling its stockpile of nuclear warheads. This would raise the country’s total to 900, which is still less than 20% of what either Russia or the US owns. 

New Zealand Gets Washed Out by Cyclone

Cyclone Gabrielle slammed into New Zealand on Monday, bringing massive amounts of rain that took four lives and has left widespread flooding. There are concerns that the death toll will rise as there are many people who are still unaccounted for.