the

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unrest PAGE 3 BBC PAGE 4 wedge PAGE 5 landslide PAGE 6 finanCes PAGE 10
A DIGEST OF SIGNIFICANT WORLD NEWS FROM THE PHILADELPHIA TRUMPET STAFF FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 20-26, 2011

The whole idea that Saudi
Arabia still needs U.S.
protection for anything
... weve already moved
beyond that.
Maher you coward.
Send your troops to
liberate the Golan.
Dead Jews
is no news.
Americas leaders are
arguing over the bar tab
on the Titanic.
One of the most under-
reported religious stories
of the past decade has
been the movement of
Lutherans across the Tiber.
W
henever the Middle East is up-
ended by violence and hostility,
Israel is generally at or near the
center of controversy. But with the re-
cent uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen,
Bahrain and Libya, the tiny Jewish
state has been left alone to watch these
frightful events from the sidelines.
This week, Israels short-lived role as
spectator ended abruptly when a bomb
exploded at a Jerusalem bus stop, kill-
ing a British woman and injuring more than 30 others. It
was the frst time in nearly seven years that Jerusalem was
hit by a bomb.
This explosion follows the resumption of Hamass rocket
barrage on southern Israel and the Fogel family massacre in
the West Bank on March 11. Added together, these attacks
represent a deliberate escalation of violence against Israel.
And looming larger than ever before, behind the scenes,
is the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the very beginning of
the region-wide turmoil that started in December, Iran has
been covertly working to frst destabilize, and then domi-
nate, the entire Middle Eastjust as the Bible said it would.
Nothing illustrates this grand strategy quite like the
revolution in Egypt. Despite the best efforts of the Western
media to convince us otherwise, this was a radical Islamic
uprising from the very beginning.
Egypts military began preparations for an Egyptian
swing into the Iranian camp as soon as Mubarak stepped
down. This is why the Iranian Navy was granted safe
passage through the Suez Canal within days of the regime
change. Its why Egypts new foreign minister has proposed
opening Egypts border with Gaza. Its why the exiled
Jew-hating father fgure of the Muslim Brotherhood was
allowed to return to Egypt with a celebrated speech about
the forthcoming Islamic conquest of Jerusalem. And its
why Egypts military has cleared the way for the Muslim
Brotherhood to take over the reins of government this fall.
Last weekend, Egyptian voters overwhelmingly sup-
ported a referendum for constitutional reform that will
limit presidential powers, but which also clears the way
for legislative elections to occur as early as June, which
leaves little time for secular groups to mount a successful
campaign against the Muslim Brotherhoodthe largest,
best-organized political force in Egypt.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the constitutional
amendments were written by a group handpicked by the
military that didnt include anyone from an organized polit-
ical group other than the Muslim Brotherhood. All leading
secular democratic fgures in Egypt opposed the referen-
dum (emphasis mine).
One of the loudest opposition voices was Mohamed
ElBaradei. Just a few weeks ago, he was seen by many as a
leading candidate to bringing about democratic reform in
Egypt. On Saturday, Islamic radicals hurled stones and shoes
at ElBaradei as he attempted to vote against the referendum.
There can be no doubt that these events have galvanized
the terrorist sponsors in Tehran. They know Egypt is now
on their side. They know the forces of religious extremism
are closing in on Israel from every side. And they know the
Israel-Egypt peace treaty is in danger of becoming obsolete.
Against this backdrop, what a perfect time this is to
provoke another confict with Israel.
The escalating tensions between Palestinians and Jews
have already been compared to the run-up to Operation
Cast Lead two years ago. Israel has already responded to the
rocket attacks by fring missiles at launching pads in Gaza.
No country would be prepared to absorb protracted mis-
sile fre on its cities and civilians, and of course the State of
Israel is not prepared to, Prime Minister Benjamin Netan-
yahu said earlier this week. It could be that this matter will
entail exchanges of blows, and it may take a certain period
of time, but we are very determined to strike at the terrorist
elements and deny them the means of attacking our citizens.
Israels response to Palestinian provocation may well play
right into Iranian hands. As Stratfor reported on March 23,
Israeli retaliation could endanger the Israel-Egypt peace
treaty, especially if Israel lashes out at Hamas in Gaza.
Stratfor wrote, When looking at the unrest overall in the
region, the one key ingredient that was missing was Israel.
Israel is often the single unifying call for many on the Arab
streets, and that is certainly something that a lot of Palestin-
ian factions will be paying attention to right now. Watch for
groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and others in the region to
escalate attacks in an effort to provoke a military confron-
tation with Israeli forces, create a crisis for Egypt through
the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, and threaten Israel on
multiple fronts. This is something that could well play to the
Iranian agenda and escalate the regional unrest overall.
Among Middle East analysts, it has been commonly
known that Israels alliances with Turkey and Egypt have
see CLOSES IN page 10
STEPHEN FLURRY
COLUMNIST
iran Closes in on Jerusalem
Middle east
A
bomb exploded near a bus stop in downtown Jerusalem Wednes-
day afternoon killing one and injuring 50. The bomb placed
inside of a bag was tied to a pole just outside the International
Convention Center and across the street from the central bus station,
one of the busiest transit points in the city. The attack marks the frst
time that buses have been targeted by terrorists in Jerusalem since
2004. It comes after a weeklong escalation of tension between Israelis
and Palestinians as terrorists from Gaza fred rockets on Israeli cities
and Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza. No country would be
prepared to absorb protracted missile fre on its cities and civilians, and
of course the State of Israel is not prepared to, said Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu in parliament. It could be that this matter will
entail exchanges of blows, and it may take a certain period of time, but
we are very determined to strike at the terrorist elements and deny
them the means of attacking our citizens. This exchange of blows
rhetoric is the hard stance that the Trumpet has long expected from
Prime Minister Netanyahu. Read Stephen Flurrys column this week,
Iran Closes In on Jerusalem, to see how Iran is behind this escalation
of hostilities between Palestinians and Israel.
With the imposition of a no-fy zone over Libya and allied air attacks
on Muammar Qadhafs forces this week, there is now concern that
a stalemate on the ground between Qadhafs troops and rebels will
result. Qadhaf has vowed not to surrender and, while prevented from
taking the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, has still been able to prevent
any rebel advances. In fact, government tanks re-entered the western
city of Misrata on Thursday despite heavy aerial bombardment.
Even as coalition jets pounded Qadhaf strongholds this week, allied
leaders began arguing about who should lead the campaign and what the
strategic objective of Operation Odyssey actually is. Heated debate this
week centered on what role nato should have in the operation, with the
U.S. wanting to only play a supporting role. On Thursday, nato agreed
to enforce a Libya no-fy zone but stopped short of agreeing to take
full command of the operation. nato Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen said the alliances mandate did not extend beyond enforcing
the UN arms embargo and no-fy zone, though a decision is expected
Sunday on whether its mandate will be extended to allow the alliance to
take command of all operations, including attacking ground targets.
Meanwhile, some analysts are pointing out that the operation being
carried out by Western forces may backfre, considering that eastern
Libya, where rebel forces are based, is a hotbed of anti-Americanism
and jihadist sentiment. There is considerable evidence that a Western-
style democracy will not eventuate should Gadhaf be forced from
offce, writes Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch. A report by West
Points Combating Terrorism Center reveals that in the past several
years, more jihadists per capita have entered Iraq from Libya to fght
American forces than from any other Muslim country, and that most of
those fghters came from the area where the rebel forces are based. The
head of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and the head of Hezbollah both sup-
port the Libyan uprisinga good indication that what will emerge from
it will not be friendly toward the West.
Largely behind the scenes, Germany is building an alliance with
Arabian Peninsula nations that is destined to become very signifcant
in Middle Eastern affairs. The rebellion in Bahrain is catalyzing an alli-
ance of Sunni powers. Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates have all decided to send security forces to Bahrain to assist
in quelling the current protests. For the past month Germany has been
monitoring the scene in Bahrain with growing apprehension. Germany
has contributed to the buildup of arms in support of the ruling Sunni
al-Khalifa clan in Bahrain, especially the supply of submachine guns
and ammunition. German-Foreign-Policy.com reports that there are
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 2
Yet Another Mideast
Country on the edge
of revolt
another long-standing
Middle Eastern govern-
menta key American
ally in the fght against al
Qaedalooks ready to fall.
This is big. The implications
are dramatic. This event,
in addition to being a blow
to America and a potential
boon to terrorists, would likely challenge the
regions balance of power by pitting its two big-
gest powersSaudi Arabia and Iranagainst
each other all the more.
The country is Yemen.
Remember Yemen? Just about a year ago,
this country on the southern rump of the Ara-
bian Peninsula received heavy coverage for its
growing terrorist activity. Al Qaeda, on the run
in Iraq, has turned it into its new home base.
The cia now lists al Qaedas Yemeni branch as
Americas most urgent security threat. Wash-
ington has sent hundred of millions worth of
security and humanitarian aid to Yemens presi-
dent, Ali Abdullah Saleh, for help in combating
these terrorist elementsand Saleh has obliged
in spite of how it has hurt his reputation locally.
But as revolutionary forces have swept the
region in recent months, the pressure on Salehs
government has intensifed. In late January,
protesters began calling for the president to
leave, and quickly grew into crowds of tens of
thousands. By the beginning of this month, the
crowds had swelled into the hundreds of thou-
sands. After accusations emerged that govern-
ment forces were fring at protesters, a trickle of
offcials within the ruling party began to resign.
Ugly tit-for-tat violence continued to ramp up
until, last week, it exploded in what some have
called the Friday massacre. Snipers opened
fre on antigovernment protesters, killing about
50 unarmed people and wounding over 200.
This brutal show of force looks like it will
mark the end of President Salehs 32-year reign.
Fridays bloodbath inspired a torrent of high-
level defections among Salehs ruling party,
including three ministers, over 40 members
of parliament, a handful of ambassadors and
diplomats, and most ominously, a number of
key military leaders.
Underlining all of that is this unpleasant re-
ality: Saleh was virtually Yemens only restraint
against both al Qaeda and the Shiite revolt.
When he is gone, both of these movements are
almost certain to expand, even fourish. And
evidence shows that both have been aided, en-
couraged and underwritten by the head of the
radical Islamist snakeIran.

JOEL HILLIKER | COLUMNIST
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 3
rumors that Rheinmetall, the German armaments giant, is presently
bidding on a contract for the further provision to Bahrain of combat
material specifcally deemed for the suppression of rebellions (Febru-
ary 22). In terms of Germanys future Middle East strategy, watch for
the consolidation of an alliance with the Arabian Peninsula nations.
That alliance was prophesied by God, 3,000 years ago, in Psalm 83.
STRATFOR | March 24
the israel factor in
regional unrest
A
bombing at a bus station in downtown Jerusalem on Wednesday
killed one person and injured 34 others. The bombing follows
more than 60 mortar shells and rockets fred into the Israeli
Negev since Saturday. Less than two weeks prior, several Israeli family
members were stabbed to death at their home in a West Bank settlement.
Taken together, these events indicate that at least some Palestinian
factions are attempting to provoke the Israeli military into a confronta-
tion. The timing would make sense, too. With unrest threatening to knock
the legs out from under Arab regimes across the region, the one crisis
that has been missing from this picture is Israel. Opposition to Israel is
the single most unifying cry in the Arab street. Add to that the growing
condemnations of corrupt Arab despots, many of whom are viewed as
hypocrites for dealing with Israel in the frst place, and the Palestinians
have a powerful banner with which to rally the region toward their cause.
The strikingly violent nature of the recent West Bank attack ap-
peared to have been designed to provoke the Israelis into action.
[A]n Israeli military intervention in the Palestinian territories could be
in the cards; only this time, the implications go well beyond the Israeli-
Palestinian confict.
Egypts military-led government has much to lose from another
round of fghting between the Israelis and Palestinians. The ruling
Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt is already in a very
delicate position in trying to manage a political transition at home and
resuscitate the economy, while dealing with a war taking place next
door in Libya. The last thing it needs is a crisis on its border with Gaza
that will once again pressure the Egyptian government to clamp down
on the Rafah border crossing through which refugees, supplies and
food pass daily. Whenever this occurs, Hamas in the Gaza Strip and
the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt seize the opportunity to
infame anti-Israeli sentiment and cast the Egyptian government in a
very uncomfortable, hypocritical light for not wholeheartedly support-
ing the resistance. This is a dynamic that could place the Egypt-Israel
peace treaty in jeopardy, while providing the Muslim Brotherhood with
the fodder it needs to come out from under the militarys shadow. This
is also a dynamic that caters extremely well to the Iranians.
The Iranians have cast themselves as the true vanguard of Islamic
resistance against Israel, in contrast to the Egyptian, Saudi, Jordanian
and other Arab regimes, which, despite occasional fery rhetoric to the
contrary, have their own strategic interests in quietly cooperating with
Israel to keep the Palestinians contained. Iran has also been pursuing a
covert destabilization campaign, using a groundswell of Shiite unrest to
threaten the Sunni Arab monarchies in eastern Arabia.
The Jerusalem attack raises a question of whether Iran would choose
to go beyond its activities in the Persian Gulf region and activate its
militant proxies in the Levant, specifcally Hezbollah in Lebanon and
groups like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and others in the Pales-
tinian territories, to threaten Israel from multiple sides. The resump-
syrian unrest
Continues
new protests in the southern Syrian city
of Daraa erupted on Friday as thousands
took to the streets to denounce President
Bashar Assads regime and urge the re-
taking of the Golan Heights from Israel.
Referring to Assads brother, head of the
Republican Guard, thousands chanted
while heading towards the main square
in Daraa: Maher you coward. Send your
troops to liberate the Golan.
Daraa has been the epicenter of
anti-government protests for the past
week. Syrian security forces killed four
demonstrators on Friday, and another
demonstrator was killed on Sunday. On
Monday, an 11-year-old boy died after
inhaling tear gas. Meanwhile, in Jordan,
almost 1,000 protesters established a
tent camp in central Amman Thursday,
pledging to stay until their demands for
greater democracy and less corruption
were met.
Syrian security forces loyal to Assad
killed dozens, possibly hundreds, two
days earlier in Daraa during massive
protests, news agencies reported. More
than 100 were killed, Daraa-based
human rights activist Ayman al-Assad
said Thursday. Police killed the protest-
ers after security forces attempted to
storm a Daraa mosque while hundreds
of citizens tried to stop them. In funerals
later that day, security forces used live
ammunition to kill more demonstrators.
The deaths Wednesday represented the
bloodiest aftermath yet in the increas-
ingly bold demonstrations in southern
Syria.
On Thursday, more than 20,000 peo-
ple had gathered for a funeral procession
for those killed, a gathering saturated
with anti-regime sentiment. Mourners
chanted God, Syria, freedom. The blood
of martyrs is not spilt in waste. Several
casualty fgures were given, with op-
position fgures claiming that more than
100 were killed; government sources
said just 10 died in the protests. News
agencies reported that 15-17 were killed
Thursday. Hundreds also assembled
Friday in the capital Damascus in a rare
show of unity for the Daraa protests.
Assad said in January that his country
was immune from the unrest sweeping
the Arab world and that he was united
with Syrians against Israel. Syrian
democracy activists have said that such
claims can no longer protect an oppres-
sive, autocratic regime.

THE ISRAEL PROJECT | March 25
tion of militant strikes is still in its early stages, but it is clearly escalat-
ing. Given the current dynamics of the region, it is doubtful that these
attacks are spontaneous. Whether theyre linked to a broader strategic
campaign operating from Tehran is a matter for investigation.
CATHOLIC CULTURE | March 21
Christians in Middle east
face Martyrdom
C
hristians in the Middle East are experiencing the actuality of
martyrdom and desperately need the support of their brothers
around the world, said the prefect of the Congregation for the
Eastern Churches, as he introduced the annual Good Friday collection
for the church in the Holy Land.
The upheavals through the Middle East should not distract atten-
tion from the sufferings of Christians, said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.
He called attention to the tangible sorrow of Christians living amid
the escalating violence. The most disturbing sign of the suffering
endured by the Christian minority in the region, Cardinal Sandri said,
is their inexorable exodus. He lamented the sorrowful tendency of
Christian emigration which impoverishes the entire area, draining it of
the most vital forces constituted by the young generations.
THETRUMPET.COM | March 24
egypt: referendum is
another Victory for
islamists
H
undreds of Islamists threw stones at Mohamed ElBaradei on
Saturday as the secular contender for the Egyptian presidency
attempted to vote in a referendum to accelerate Egypts elec-
tions. The incident and the results of the referendum reveal the radical
direction Egypt is heading in.
Although ElBaradei was struck in the back by a rock hurled from
the mob of hundreds, he escaped the incident unharmed, but without
having cast his ballot. The referendum concerned a package of constitu-
tional changes intended to accelerate Egypts upcoming parliamentary
and presidential elections, and ElBaradei was an outspoken opponent
of the planned amendments, saying that, after years of repression,
Egypts burgeoning political parties should be given ample time to
organize and prepare for upcoming elections.
The well-organized Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, is the
countrys primary advocate of the proposed changes, and stood to gain
the most from them. The Brotherhood, which was outlawed under for-
mer President Hosni Mubarak, sought to persuade undecided Egyptian
voters with signs saying: If you vote no you are a follower of America
and Baradei, and if you vote yes, you are a follower of God.
Although evidence suggests that some vote-rigging occurred, the
referendums results were overwhelmingly in favor of the rapid election
process, with 77.2 percent of Egyptians in favor of the amendments.
The outcome equates to a massive victory for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Members of the mob who threw stones at ElBaradei and prevented
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 4
family slaughtered
doesnt BBC Care?
who is Tamar Fogel? The chances are that
you will have no idea. She is a 12-year-old girl
who arrived home late on Friday, March 11, to
discover her family had been slaughtered. Her
parents had been stabbed to death; the throat
of her 11-year-old brother, Yoav, had been slit.
Her 4-year-old brother, Elad, whose throat had
also been cut, was still alive, with a faint pulse,
but medics were unable to save him. Tamars
sister, Hadas, 3 months old, had also been
killed. Her head had been sawn off.
There were two other Fogel brothers sleeping
in an adjacent room. When woken by their big
sister trying to get into a locked house, Roi, aged
6, let her in. After Tamar discovered the bod-
ies, her screaming alerted their neighbor who
rushed in to help and described fnding 2-year-
old Yishai desperately shaking his parents
blood-soaked corpses, trying to wake them up.
I found out about the barbaric attack not on
bbc news, but via Twitter on Monday. I followed
a link there to a piece by Mark Steyn entitled
Dead Jews is no news. Horrifed, I went to the
bbc website to fnd out more. There I discovered
only two stories: one a cursory description of
the incident in Itamar, a West Bank settlement,
and another focusing on Israels decision to
build more settlements, which mentioned the
killings in passing.
As the mother of three children, one the
same age as little Elad, who had lain bleeding
to death, I was stunned at the bbcs seeming
lack of care. All the most heart-wrenching de-
tails were omitted. The second story, suggest-
ing that the construction announcement was
an act of antagonism following the massacre,
also omitted key facts and failed to mention
the subsequent celebrations in Gaza, and the
statement by a Hamas spokesman that fve
dead Israelis is not enough to punish anybody.
There were more details elsewhere on the
Net: the pain and hurt, for example, of the
British Jewish community at the bbcs apparent
indifference to the fate of the Fogels. The more
I read, the more the bbcs broadcast silence
amazed me. What if a settler had entered a
Palestinian home and sawn off a babys head?
Might we have heard about it then?
Like many of us, I consider the bbc to be a
national treasure. I am not a bbc basher; I have
never before complained. I do not support nor
do I condone the Israeli settlement building.
But none of that matters. This is a story about
three children and their parents, slain with
incredible cruelty, and its effect on the peace
process. As a mother, I am shocked at the
silence. As a politician, I am dismayed at the
apparent bias and indifference.

TELEGRAPH, LOUISE BAGSHAWE | March 24
him from voting identifed themselves only as Islamists, without re-
vealing any specifc affliation. He lives in the United States and wants
to rule us. Its out of the question, one of the assailants said.
We dont want an American agent, said another.
Only a few weeks back, ElBaradei was celebrated as a hero of Egypts
new direction. Now hes being attacked by Islamists as he attempts to
vote for a secular Egypt. As the Trumpet has predicted would happen
all along, hard-line Islamists are seizing the day in Egypt.
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS | March 24
arab spring drives
wedge Between u.s.,
saudi arabia
T
he united States and Saudi Arabiawhose conficted relationship
has survived oil shocks, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the
U.S. invasion of Iraqare drifting apart faster than at any time
in recent history, according to diplomats, analysts and former U.S. of-
fcials. The breach, punctuated by a series of tense diplomatic incidents
in the past two weeks, could have profound implications for the U.S.
role in the Middle East, even as President Barack Obama juggles major
Arab upheavals from Libya to Yemen.
The Saudi monarchy, which itself has been loathe to introduce demo-
cratic reforms, watched with deepening alarm as the White House
backed Arab opposition movements and helped nudge from power
former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, another long-time U.S. ally,
according to U.S. and Arab offcials. That alarm turned to horror when
the Obama administration demanded that the Saudi-backed monarchy
of Bahrain negotiate with protesters representing the countrys major-
ity Shiite Muslim population. To Saudi Arabias Sunni rulers, Bahrains
Shiites are a proxy for Shiite Iran, its historic adversary.
Were not going to budge. Were not going to accept a Shiite gov-
ernment in Bahrain, said an Arab diplomat, who spoke frankly on
condition he not be further identifed. Saudi Arabia has registered
its displeasure bluntly. Both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and
Defense Secretary Robert Gates were rebuffed when they sought to visit
the kingdom this month. The offcial cover story was that aging King
Abdullah was too ill to receive them.
U.S. relations with the Saudis and other Gulf monarchies are as bad
as they were after the fall of the Shah, said Gregory Gause, an expert
on the region and political science professor at the University of Ver-
mont. The whole idea that Saudi Arabia still needs U.S. protection for
anything ... weve already moved beyond that, the Arab diplomat said.
He termed it not necessarily a divorce, (but) a recalibration.
europe
P
ortuguese prime Minister Jos Scrates resigned on March 23 after
parliament rejected his austerity package. The defeat is likely to
trigger a bailout similar to the rescue packages Greece and the Re-
public of Ireland had to accept last year, reports the bbc. unless another
coalition is agreed, Portugal faces another election and more uncertainty.
The European Court of Human Rights decided on March 18 that it is
acceptable to display crucifxes in Italian public school classrooms. The
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 5
So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia.
They are about to fall under the heavy
inuence or control of Iran, the king of the
south. Both countries have already been
inuenced by radical Islam. But they are not
in the radical Muslim campyet.
Trumpet, Gerald Flurry, April 2011
thousands of Christians have been forced to
fee their homes in Western Ethiopia after
Muslim extremists set fre to roughly 50
churches and dozens of Christian homes. At
least one Christian has been killed, many
more have been injured and anywhere from
3,000 to 10,000 have been displaced in the
attacks that began March 2 after a Christian
in the community of Asendabo was accused
of desecrating the Koran.
The violence escalated to the point that
federal police forces sent to the area two
weeks ago were initially overwhelmed by
the mobs. Government spokesman Shimelis
Kemal told Voice of America police rein-
forcements had since restored order and 130
suspects had been arrested and charged with
instigating religious hatred and violence.
We believe there are elements of the
Kawarja sect and other extremists who have
been preaching religious intolerance in the
area, he said at a Saturday press conference.
The string of attacks comes on the heels of
several reports of growing anti-Christian ten-
sion and violence around the country where
Muslims make up roughly one third of the
total population but more than 90 percent of
the population in certain areas, 2007 Census
data shows.
[In November] three Christians in Besheno
were assaulted in religiously-motivated at-
tacks and three others were forced to fee the
city after being told that Muslim leaders had
commissioned hit men to kill them, one of the
exiled Christians told FoxNews.com. We were
told by some Muslims that live in the city that
there was already a plan to kill us and that
the people who were assigned to kill us had
already come from another city to do it.
The violence against Christians in Ethio-
pia is alarming because Ethiopian Muslims
and Christians used to live together peaceful-
ly. Besides, its extremely disconcerting that
in Ethiopia, where Christians are the major-
ity, they are also the victims of persecution,
Jonathan Racho, [International Christian
Concerns] regional manager of Africa and
South Asia, told foxNews.com.
thousands of
Christians displaced
in ethiopia

FOX NEWS | March 24
case divided Europes Catholic-leaning countries from the more secular
ones, and Fridays reversal of the original decision has given Rome and
the Vatican cause to celebrate. The popular sentiment in Europe has
won today, said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. The France-
based court said that its ruling last Friday applies only to Italian public
schools, and doesnt require other countries to allow crucifxes in their
schools. But the verdict will affect any of the 47 Council of Europe mem-
ber countries if citizens in these nations use the decision as an argument
in national courts, or if governments use the ruling to justify altering
their legislation on religious symbols. The Vatican embraced the ruling,
saying it illustrates that crucifxes are not a tool of indoctrination but
rather an expression of the cultural and religious identity of tradition-
ally Christian countries. It recognized that, on an authoritative and
international judicial level, the culture of mans rights must not be put in
contradiction with the religious fundamentals of European civilization,
to which Christianity has given an essential contribution, said Vatican
spokesman Federico Lombardi. The European Court of Human Rights
ruling to allow Italian schools to display one of Catholicisms most sa-
cred symbols is a clear indication that Europe is becoming less tolerant
of multiculturalism and is in the midst of a Catholic revitalization.
Forcing someone into marriage will be punishable by up to fve years
in prison and foreigners must complete an integration courseinclud-
ing a language testbefore they get permanent residency, according to
a new law passed by the German parliament on March 17. The parlia-
ment also expanded the rights of women forced into marriage. Foreign-
ers living in Germany forced into a marriage and subsequently forced
to leave the country will have the right to return to Germany. Austria,
too, is in the process of tightening its immigration laws. All except
highly skilled immigrants will soon have to learn German before they
arrive, according to a bill agreed by Austrias government last month
and in the process of going through parliament. Asylum seekers will
have to stay in a camp during their frst week in the country, under the
proposed laws. Germany, and most of Europe, is gradually rethinking
its approach on immigration. Leaders are declaring multiculturalism
has failed, and senior politicians, especially in Germany, are speaking
out against immigrants, and Muslims in particular. The latest example
came from Germanys Finance Minister Wolfgang Schuble, who said
in an interview with the Guardian published March 18 that Germany
took on too many immigrants from Turkey during the 1960s. Christian
Social Union Party Chairman Horst Seehofer, German Foreign Minister
Guido Westerwelle and new Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich are
also on the growing list of senior government offcials who have spoken
out against immigration or Islam in recent weeks. Islam does present a
genuine threat to Europes way of life. But Europe has a history of react-
ing violently to these kinds of threats. Watch for the backlash against
immigration and Islam to become even more serious.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel did badly in yet another state
election on March 20. Though with 32.5 percent of the vote, according
to preliminary results, Merkels Christian Democrats are still the most
popular party in Saxony-Anhalt, this is their second-worst result there
since the fall of the Berlin Wall. With more regional elections coming
up in Baden-Wrttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate this weekend, the
pressure on Merkel continues to grow.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER | March 18
the lutheran landslide
O
ne of the most under-reported religious stories of the past
decade has been the movement of Lutherans across the Tiber.
What frst began with prominent Lutherans, such as Richard
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 6
Portugals woes
turn spotlight on
spain
portugals admission that it will probably
need a fnancial bailout raises a question
that will shape the outcome of the euro-
zones debt crisis: Is Spain next? The cost
of saving Spain, a 1.1 trillion (us$1.56 tril-
lion) economy, would dwarf previous bail-
outs and could test the fnancial strength of
Europe as a whole.
Spains banking sector remains a big
worry. Moodys Investor Service cut 30
Spanish lenders credit ratings on Thursday,
citing the sectors fragility. Spains other
challenges include a large budget defcit,
burst housing bubble and feeble growth.
Policymakers in Europe and the U.S.
have long believed that Spain would be the
crucial battlefeld in the eurozones struggle
to prevent a collapse of creditors trust in
its weaker nations. Last year, U.S. offcials
even worried that the crisis could spin out
of control and undermine the global eco-
nomic recovery.
Prime Minister Jos Luis Rodrguez
Zapatero was due to outline further steps
to improve budget controls, labor rules and
productivity at a European Union summit
in Brussels Thursday. Investors could still
turn against Spain if it fails to deliver, or if
events elsewhere trigger a market panic.
Spain isnt out of the woods. But the
market is less afraid of the worst-case
scenario occurring than a few months ago,
said Ben May, European economist at Lon-
don consultancy Capital Economics. The
worst-case scenario is that Spains property
market falls so hard that the countrys
struggling regional savings banks, known
as cajas, need more money to cover their
losses than the Spanish state can raise.
In an Irish-style meltdown, Spanish
banks would need to raise close to 100
billion in extra capital, Fitch calculates, an
estimate similar to the most pessimistic
economists. If the state had to provide all of
those funds, Spains public debt would jump
by about 10 percentage points of gdp. That
amount would be challenging for Spain to
borrow quickly from bond markets.

WALL STREET JOURNAL | March 24
Other European countries are in the same
mess, such as Spain, Italy and Portugal. The
economies of these nations, and the future of
the entireEuropean unication project, are
onlife supportand Germanys ngers are
on the power switch!
Trumpet, Gerald Flurry, February 2011
John Neuhaus (1990) and Robert Wilken (1994), coming into the Catho-
lic Church, has become more of a landslide that could culminate in a
larger body of Lutherans coming into the collectively.
Over the past several years, an increasing number of Lutheran
theologians have joined the churchs ranks, some of whom now teach at
Catholic colleges and universities. The Lutheran church has been my
intellectual and spiritual home for 40 years, wrote Dr. [Michael] Root.
Its been said that no one converts alone, suggesting that oftentimes
the effect of one conversion helps to move another along a similar path.
Now, it appears that a larger Lutheran body will be joining the
church. Father Christopher Phillips, writing at the Anglo-Catholic blog,
reports that the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church (alcc) clergy and par-
ishes will be entering into the U.S. ordinariate being created for those
Anglicans desiring to enter the church.
According to the blog, the alcc sent a letter to Walter Cardinal Kasper,
on May 13, 2009, stating that it desires to undo the mistakes of Father
Martin Luther, and return to the one, holy, and true Catholic Church es-
tablished by our Lord Jesus Christ through the blessed Saint Peter. That
letter was sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
EUROPEAN JEWISH PRESS | March 18
anti-semitic attitudes in
europe
R
esults of a poll conducted by a German think tank on European
attitudes towards Jews and Israel are deeply disturbing, said
the European Jewish Congress (ejc). The Friedrich Ebert Foun-
dation, a think tank associated with Germanys Social Democratic
Party, found extremely worrying attitudes amongst a host of Europeans.
The studyIntolerance, Prejudice, Discrimination: A European
Reportquestioned roughly 1,000 people in Great Britain, Holland,
Germany, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland and France. When asked to
respond to the statement that Israel is conducting a war of extermina-
tion against the Palestinians, 63 percent of the studys participants
in Poland agreed with the statement, while in Germany 47.7 percent
expressed agreement.
Dr. Moshe Kantor, president of the ejc, expressed incredulity at the
results. It is astonishing to see these fgures and a damning indictment
on efforts to fght hatred and intolerance in Europe, he said.
The researchers also asked respondents whether they agreed with
the statement Jews try to take advantage of having been victims dur-
ing the Nazi era. 72.2 percent of Poles, 49.8 percent of Germans and
68.1 percent of Hungarians replied in the affrmative. For too long
there have been some who have explained that they are not anti-Semit-
ic, but merely anti-Israel; this study, along with many others, proves a
signifcant correlation between the two, Kantor said.
GERMAN-FOREIGN-POLICY.COM | March 22
first time going it alone
A
fter several days of Libya being heavily bombarded, German
Chancellor Angela Merkel is defending the German abstention
in the UN Security Council vote on the current attacks. There
is always a division of labor in the international arena, is how Merkel
explained the non-participation of the German Bundeswehr. There are
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 7
while the penetration by
German interests in both
Egypt and Libya was quite
signifcant during the latter
half of the 20th century, the
risk of loss of infuence to
Iran in that region is result-
ing in Germany increasingly
concentrating its Middle
Eastern foreign policy on the Arabian Penin-
sula.
The motives that drive German Middle East-
ern strategy, in particular given the present
state of Egypt and Libya, are threefold: assur-
ing continuing access to the regions oil and
gas resources, protection of Germanys Middle
Eastern investments, and creating a beachhead
to stem the northward push of pan-Islamism.
Under UN Mandate the German navy has
signifcant deployment in the Mediterranean
protecting the nations interests across what
Winston Churchill called the soft underbelly of
Europe. But it is the continuing Deutsche Ma-
rine deployments off the coast of Lebanon and
off the Horn of Africa that are critical toeholds
to building a future German presence from the
Levant to the Gulf of Oman. It is in this region
that Germanys most crucial alliance in the
Middle East will evolve.
Perceiving the danger of Iran flling the vac-
uum created by inevitable withdrawal of U.S.
forces from Iraq, foreign-policy advisers to the
German government have counseled a closer
relationship between Germany and Saudi Ara-
bia. This they see as necessary to counter Irans
infuence in the region and limit the risk of Iran
restricting access to the areas energy resources
by the West.
The German Institute for International and
Security Affairs (swp) has observed, The con-
tainment of the Iranian hegemonic ambitions,
not just in the Gulf region, but also in Palestin-
ian areas, in Lebanon and in Syria, has become
Saudi Arabias most important regional political
objective (December 2008).
The thing to really watch for in terms of
Germanys future Middle East strategy will be
initiatives designed to shore up security in the
LevantSyria, Lebanon and Israeland the
consolidation of an alliance with the Arabian
Peninsula nations.
Psalm 83 speaks of the alliance that will
form between Germany and certain nations
descended from Ishmael. The formation of
that alliance is now accelerated by the current
events rippling across North Africa from Tuni-
sia to Bahrain.
libya accelerates
german/arabian-
Peninsula alliance

RON FRASER | COLUMNIST
also other countries that do not get involved in some UN interventions.
But in fact, with this step, the German government has again refused
to participate in a military operation being particularly sponsored by
France, one in which Paris is hopingand not without reasonto attain
clear advantages in North Africa. In the stronghold of the now militar-
ily supported rebels, Benghazi, France is being cheered.
Berlin, which in February was still signaling its willingness to un-
dertake military steps, was making clear at the same time that it was
placing its national interests above its solidarity with the alliance. The
German government has dared to go it alone for the frst time since
1949, concluded a high-ranking German offcer.
asia
T
he number of people confrmed dead or missing following the earth-
quake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 has climbed to
27,000, according to the Japanese broadcaster nhk. The majority of
the victims are from the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushi-
ma, and, although some of the missing may have been away from home
when the tsunami struck, most are believed to have been washed out to
sea. Tokyo estimated on Wednesday that the damage caused by the disas-
ters could cost Japan up to us$309 billion. However, this fgure compiles
only the costs of destroyed social infrastructure, corporate facilities, and
houses, which the World Bank has said was unprecedented. The fgure
does not factor in losses related to widespread power supply shortages.
Tokyo attempted to downplay the costs, claiming that reconstruction work
could counterbalance mounting pressure on Japans economy.
Beijing has called on all parties to bring an immediate halt to attacks
on Libya and demanded respect of the nations sovereignty, Chinas
Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Chinese policymakers said they are
against excessive use of military force and the exacerbation of the hu-
manitarian crisis and even greater casualties among civilians. China
insists it is opposed to military action being used to resolve conficts
on the world stage. Indias minister of fnance also spoke out against
the Wests interference, saying that no foreign nation should meddle
with Libyas internal affairs. Delhi said Western countries should not
work toward change in the African nation until the Libyan people want
it. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Wests military involvement in Libya
prompted a rare public clash between Russias two leading men, as
President Dmitry Medvedev criticized Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
for calling the measures fawed and reminiscent of a medieval call
for a crusade. In an unusual bout of defance, Medvedev responded:
Its absolutely unacceptable to use phrases that in effect lead to confict
between civilizations, such as crusades, and the like. It is becoming
more obvious that the end of Moscows diarchy is approaching, and Pu-
tin will likely take up the offcial reins of Russian leadership once again,
where he can steer the nation onto a course with other anti-Western
Asian nations like China.
China, Japan and South Korea will undertake a feasibility study next
week about a trilateral free-trade agreement, offcials in Seoul said on
Wednesday. Around 90 offcials from the three nations will participate
in a three-day meeting in South Korea, which will be the fourth such
meeting among the three parties since the idea was proposed last year.
Leaders from the three countries plan to attend a summit fnalizing the
free-trade agreement in 2012. Meanwhile, China and Indonesia signed
a memorandum of understanding regarding defense cooperation. The
two sides plan to produce missiles together and to boost technology
transfers, joint training and the supply of military equipment. Asian
nations are drawing closer together and will soon form a giant super-
power, with a modernized Russia and China at the helm.
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 8
Japan and lessons
for america
almost as shocking as
the massive tsunami that
wiped away hundreds of
miles of Japanese coast-
line and thousands of lives
was the reaction of the
Japanese. The response has
been calm, orderly, lawful
and sacrifcing.
A huge chunk of Japans coastline is dam-
aged, whole cities are gutted, widespread pow-
er outages blanket much of the nation, thou-
sands are short on food and water, people wait
in line for eight hours for less than a tank of gas,
hundreds of thousands of people are displaced,
nuclear reactors threaten meltdownand the
Japanese are showing the world an example of
composed restraint and orderliness.
Doesnt it make you picture what Americans
would be like under similar circumstances?
Earthquakes are progressing in a clock-
wise direction around the Pacifc Ring of Fire.
Chile. New Zealand. Japan. Who is next?
California? When the Big One strikes, will
Californians respond more like the Japanese,
or the New Orleanians?
If Hurricane Katrina is anything to go
on, the picture isnt pretty. New Orleanss
lawlessness, selfshness, abdication of leader-
ship and duty, rampant crime, murders and
descent into barbarism is our precedent of
what happens when disaster strikes this side
of the world. Instead of a people coming to-
gether like the Japanese, the populace of one
of Americas most important cities made it a
lawless jungle almost overnight.
Now picture a Japan-scale catastrophe
in Southern California, home of the Rodney
King riots. Picture Los Angeles minus food,
fuel and infrastructurebut stacked with
guns, gangs and simmering racial tensions.
Add in addictions to big government nanny-
ism (in New Orleans, people were warned to
evacuate, but many stayed put simply because
the government did not come and actually
remove them). The result is that many of
Americas big cities are just one act of God
away from complete social breakdown.
Would California buck up under that kind
of disaster?
With Japans disaster, we see story after
story about cooperation, heroism, resilience
and admirable patience and endurance in
the face of adversity. We see a nation coming
togetherin the midst of horrible catastrophe.
Japans reaction to the disaster puts
America to shame. We see what New Orleans
should have been, and what California should
be. We see character in the midst of crisis.

ROBERT MORLEY | COLUMNIST
africa/latin aMerica
A
leading South African university is severing all ties with Is-
raels Ben-Gurion University as part of a growing campaign to
isolate Israel for its defensive attacks on Palestinians in Gaza.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions praised the University of
Johannesburg this past Thursday for being the frst to sever such ties.
The 25-year relationship between the two universities will offcially end
on April 1, but professors can continue to work individually with Ben-
Gurion, stated Vice Chancellor Adam Habib. A close relationship once
existed between Israel and South Africa, but this relationship is swiftly
coming to an end.
Even as U.S. President Barack Obama toured Latin America this
week, China promised to inject $4 billion next month into a joint
development fund with Venezuela. With the latest loan, China will
have extended a total of $28 billion in fnancing to Venezuela since last
August. All of this money is being used to secure for China a steady fow
of Venezuelan oil. Beijing has now eclipsed Washington in trade with
Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and is Venezuelas second-most important
trade partner. America is already falling behind in the race for the
worlds resources.
anglo-aMerica
A
ll four branches of the United States military have now begun
sending training material to 2.2 million active and reserve troops
as a prelude to opening the ranks to homosexuals. This material
contains instructions on how to be tolerant of homosexual soldiers.
This training material was dispatched to military service members
worldwide, including combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is part of
a major indoctrination program ordered by Defense Secretary Robert
M. Gates to ensure that homosexuals and heterosexuals will serve and
fght together. The top U.S. enlisted man in Kabul stated in a Penta-
gon teleconference last month that specialized training regarding the
repeal of the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy will take place
during combat operations. The Prophet Isaiah foretold of a time when
the man of war would be taken away from Israel. The modern-day
Israelite nation of America is turning its back on the biblical standards
of morality that it was founded on, and its combat readiness will suffer
because of it.
The frst of a series of economic shock waves have reverberated
across the Pacifc following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in
Japan. General Motors Co. shut down production at its Shreveport plant
in Louisiana for the week of March 21. The factory closing was neces-
sary because it ran out of parts that were made in Japan. GM has said
that its other plants continue to run normally. This shutdown, however,
could be a precursor to shutdowns by other U.S.-based assemblers that
rely on imported components. The days of made in America have
been eclipsed by those of assembled in America. The implications go
far beyond just the retention of factory jobs: It is an indicator of the na-
tions economic strength.
The worst Texas drought in 44 years is damaging wheat crops and
forcing ranchers to reduce cattle herds. Texas got just 4.7 inches (12
centimeters) of rain on average in the fve months through February,
the least amount of precipitation over that period since 1967. More
than half of the states wheat felds and pastures were rated in poor or
very poor condition on March 20. Dry conditions extending throughout
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado may cut crop yields in the U.S.
and send grain and meat prices spiraling higher.
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 9
Do not be surprised in the least if [Kirchener]
joins cause with Spain to mount a successful
effort to lobby the United Nations to force
Britains hand to yield up its remaining
sovereignty over these last strands of empire,
the God-given sea gates of Gibraltar and the
Falkland Islands Trumpet, 2006
the argentine senate unanimously approved
Wednesday a bill that bars companies and
persons from participating in hydrocarbons
exploration and exploitation activities in the
Argentine continental platform (which includes
the Falkland Islands), and proscribes fnes for
infractions and barring periods of time from 5
to 20 years for companies that violate the law.
The bill had been approved last year in the
Lower House and was promoted by opposition
Deputy Fernando Pino Solanas who is also a
presidential pre-candidate for next Octobers
election . The bill is targeted to impede com-
panies located in Argentina from supporting oil
activities in the Falkland Islands, which do not
have the approval of the Argentine government.
According to Clarin, British Embassy sourc-
es defended the right of the Falkland Islands
government and people to develop their oil and
gas industry, which is supported by London
and is legitimate.
Argentinas policy under the Kirchner presi-
dencies (beginning 2003) has been to consis-
tently protest and present its sovereignty claims
over the Falklandsand who is authorized to
develop the Islands resourcesin all possible
international forums. The bill approved in the
Senate is in line with the Kirchner administra-
tions decisions and decrees relative to the Falk-
lands and its insistence in ignoring the Islands
inhabitants, and demand London abides by UN
resolutions calling for sovereignty talks.
Argentina has managed support and explicit
declarations from all regional forums: Merco-
sur, Unasur, Rio Group, Latin Americas sum-
mits. With all the power of this bill Argentina
will impede that companies located in this
country to support the illegal exploitation of
hydrocarbons that Great Britain is pushing
ahead with in our Islas Malvinas, said Pino So-
lanas in his Facebook. He added that we have
achieved the full commitment of lawmakers
with a policy of active defence of our national
resources.
Its the frst real step towards the recovery
of our strategic resources and to control our
off-shore oil and gas reserves he emphasized.
argentina tightens
noose on the
falkland islands

MERCOPRESS | March 17
CNBC | March 24
u.s. finances rank near
worst in the world
T
he u.s. ranks near the bottom of developed global economies in
terms of fnancial stability and will stay there unless it addresses
its burgeoning debt problems, a new study has found. In the Sov-
ereign Fiscal Responsibility Index, the Comeback America Initiative
ranked 34 countries according to their ability to meet their fnancial
challenges, and the U.S. fnished 28th, said David Walker, head of the
organization and former U.S. comptroller general.
We think it is important for the American people to understand
where the United States is as compared to other countries with regard
to fscal responsibility and sustainability, Walker said in a cnbc inter-
view. Americans are used to rankings and theyre used to ranking very
high, but frankly in this area we rank very low.
Americas leaders are arguing over the bar tab on the Titanic,
Walker said. We need to cut spending. Frankly we need to cut spending
more than what has been talked about but over a longer period of time.
But whats imperative is that we need to attach some conditions to in-
creasing the debt ceiling limit that will bring back tough budget controls
. Walker predicted the U.S. will have a debt crisis within the next two
to three years and implored Washington lawmakers to wake up.
really been all that have held its enemies at bay for many years. The
alliance with Turkey is now extremely fragileleaving the peace treaty
with Egypt the only real security for Israel.
Former cia offcial Reuel Marc Gerecht, speaking at a forum on the
Muslim Brotherhood convened by the Foundation for Defense of De-
mocracies on Monday, warned that the Muslim Brotherhood would seek
to scrap Egypts treaty with Israel. I think its highly likely the Muslim
Brotherhood will push very hard for a review of the treaty with Israel,
he said, adding that since much of the secular elite also disliked Israel,
it is possible that you will see that treaty nullifed.
Moreover, he pointed out the extraordinary support Muslim Brother-
hood affliates around the globe have for Hamas. One point that brings
them all together is their support for Hamas. That is the one issue on
which they do not compromise, he said.
This, then, well illustrates why Iran is so pleased with developments
in Egypt. In reality, they bring it one step closer to its goal of claiming
the city it believes belongs to Islam.
For over a decade and a half, the Trumpets editor in chief has warned
us to watch for signs of Iran trying to seize Jerusalem. The most pre-
cious jewel of Irans plan is to conquer Jerusalem, he wrote in February
1995. This would then galvanize the Islamic world behind Iran!
Zechariah 14:2 prophesies that half of Jerusalem is going to fall. As
our booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy explains, Zechariah is speaking of
an impending, partial conquest of the Holy City by Islamic warriors
one that will precede a total conquest of the city by a European force.
As Iran works behind the scenes today to destabilize and dominate
Middle Eastern nations in turmoil, realize this is all part of its plan to
dismantle the obstacles to it taking Jerusalem.
However, remember also that in the fnal analysis, after the bibli-
cal nation of Judah has been punished, there will come a time when,
as Isaiah prophesies, the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off (Isa-
iah 11:13)when Jerusalem truly will be a city of peace upon Christs
return.
THE TRUMPET WEEKLY March 26, 2011 10
CLOSES IN from page 1
amid the confusion sur-
rounding the allied engage-
ment of Libya, one impor-
tant reality has become
crystal clear: America
has no interest in playing
a leadership role in Lib-
ya. America was one of the last to join the
fght and wants to be the frst out. On Mon-
day, President Barack Obama stated that the
U.S. is ready to transfer its responsibilities
in Libya to someone else, preferably nato.
This transition, he emphasized, will happen
over the next several days, not weeks.
All sorts of experts have all sorts of
explanations for the confusion handicap-
ping the Western alliance and the merits
of Americas involvement. Some believe
Libya is not Americas fght and that the
U.S. ought to have stayed home. Others
say U.S. intervention should have come
earlier and been more intense. Some argue
that America simply cannot afford to fght
another war; others say it has moral and/or
fnancial obligations to intervene.
Whatever side you are on, Libya has
exposed this reality in the world order: The
United States has no interest in taking the
lead on an issue of extreme global import!
And its not just Libya where America ap-
pears disinterested. Consider Washingtons
conduct in all the major crises lately, be it
the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, or
the grave and signifcant struggle between
Iran and Saudi Arabia being fought in the
likes of Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. In each
instance, Washingtons record for display-
ing leadership, at least by American stan-
dards, is nothing short of dismal.
In every case, the United States has acted
like a third-rate power. It has failed to tackle
the issues with force and determination,
with clarity of vision and purpose, with
the confdence and vigor of a superpower.
Instead, its response in virtually every
case has been late in coming, ill-informed
or hastily conceived, morally or politically
shallow, or downright irresponsible.
And, most signifcantly, in virtually ev-
ery crisis, America has willfully abdicated
leadership to someone else.
One of the most signifcant lessons from
the traumatic events thus far in 2011and
a reality that has surely been seen around
the worldis that the united states no
longer possesses the desire to be a global
leader!
the world is Coming
apartwhere is
america?

BRAD MACDONALD | COLUMNIST