"Russia/U.S.: Playing With Fire?"

"Could a U.S. response to Russia's actions in Ukraine provoke a confrontation that leads to a U.S.-Russian war?" asks The National Interest writers Graham Allison and Dimitri K. Simes  in "Russian and America:Stumbling to War".

That's an unthinkable question and yet the sabre-rattling between the two nations has grown deafening. So loud, in fact, it seems neither can think straight.

How else can we explain this perilous game of brinkmanship they seem to be playing?

The Russian News Agency, TASS, reported back in September that Russia was "revising its defense doctrine as new threats emerge."

What new threats, you ask?

"...first and foremost," says Colonel-General Viktor Yesin, former Chief of Staff of the Russian Strategic Missiles Forces,"...the West, primarily the U.S."

Alexander Lukashevich, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, says, "We see massive movement of fighter jets and tanks to eastern Europe, columns of armored vehicles riding down central roads and other signs of rapid militarization of the region."

"We consider the continuing discussion in Washington on possible weapons supply to the Ukrainian authorities as deliberate escalation of tensions," he adds. "That directly threatens Russian security."

"But that doesn't scare us," Lukashevich continued. "We could recommend Washington, which decided to use the crisis in Ukraine to flex its muscles, to seriously think about the consequences..."

A not-so veiled threat? Considering:

• Russian bombers have been intruding in NATO airspace
• President Putin says he was ready to put nuclear forces on alert in Crimea
• Russia's ambassador has warned off Denmark from joining NATO missile defense with threats of being targeted with nukes
• Russia's decision to send Iran its missile defense system in spite of objections from Washington

If Russia and the U.S. are stumbling to war, the American public (for the most part) remains blissfully unaware...

...and meanwhile, this dangerous game of "chicken" goes on.

A wise man once said: "Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." --President John F. Kennedy

"For when they say 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."  (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

News;

• The Washington Free Beacon: Iranian Warships Arrive Near Yemen; comes days after U.S. announced it would send its own warships
• The Telegraph: Russia Masses More Forces Near Ukraine Border. A new build-up is under way with Russia deploying air defense units inside Ukraine and massing more troops on the border, says U.S. State Department.
• Russia FM: Grudges over Crimea prompt Obama to say Russian economy in tatters. Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavron claims remark a "Freudian slip." 

"Russia Threatens Nuclear Showdown"

While the American government is busy wringing its hands over climate change, the Russian military is making increasingly aggressive moves.

And NATO isn't going to take it laying down.

Lithuania will increase defense spending and implement a military draft, while the European Parliament member Beatrix Von Storch believes "we are very close to the collapse of the post-Cold War order."

Next month, NATO forces from nations across Europe will participate in a grand-scale military training exercise. Baltic States Buckling Down For Russian Action

Russia's reaction?

"President Putin is using the threat of a nuclear showdown over the Baltic states to force NATO to back away from Russia's borders," say intelligence figures from Moscow and Washington. Putin Threat of Nuclear Showdown over Baltics

Putin: "Try to take Crimea away and there'll be nuclear war." 

"The Ukraine crisis has brought the world closer to nuclear war than at any point for a generation," says The Times, Europe.

And that ain't all, folks:

• Russia has also been flying military aircraft aggressively around American airspace, buzzing both Alaska and the California coast.
• NATO scrambled allied jets to monitor Russian warplanes over Europe more than 100 times last year.
• Russia has begun building four nuclear subs for the first time in decades.

According to the Bible, Russia, Iran and an alliance of several Muslim countries will eventually attack Israel. (see Ezekiel 38 & 39)

With the collapse of the Soviet Union after the Cold War, skeptics pointed to this passage in Ezekiel to "prove" how unreliable Bible prophecy was. And granted, it did seem unlikely that Russia would ever recover enough to pose a threat to anybody.

However, recent events indicate the Russian bear is alive and well...and apparently on the prowl and growling once again.

As the Scriptures say about God, "You will be proved right in what You say..." (Romans 3:4)

A wise man once said: 

"Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." -- Sir Winston Churchill

"I am God, and there is no one else like Me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass...(Isaiah 46:9-10).

News:

• CNN: Russians Hack White House Computer Network despite efforts to lock them out.
• Canada Free Press: World Prepares for Russian Aggression as Europe realizes they may have to fight being a target
• Yahoo!News: U.S. Aerospace Command moving communications gear back to Cold War bunker in case of electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) attack.

"Are We Witnessing the Rise of Magog?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States and the West of practicing "cold war tactics" in a vitriolic speech before a cheering Russian parliament.

Fresh from his victory in Crimea, the Russian leader openly mocked and ridiculed the US for the sanctions approved on Monday.

Commodities and foreign currency expert Jim Sinclair says:

"To sanction Russia is to forget that Russia supplies Europe with its gas supplies. To sanction Russia is to forget there are many US and European corporations operating within Russia right now. I honestly believe sanctioning Russia is the same as shooting yourself in the foot."

Sinclair goes on to say, "Anybody that is nuclear capable to the degree that Russia is with its delivery systems is a world power."

"We hear constantly Russia is only a regional power. We hear lies. We hear untruths. We don't have a clear picture to what is taking place."

Sinclair believes the Russian's have "the upper hand. They have it in their ability to turn the US economy upside down and into collapse."

Strong words. But Sinclair stands behind them: "There is no question whatsoever", he says, "Putin doesn't need a nuclear bomb. He has a nuclear economic bomb he can set off at any time."

How?

According to Sinclair,

"The real teeth of retaliation for sanctions being in the simple acceptance of any currency whatsoever for payment for gas to Europe. It makes energy cheaper. Why in the world would anyone pay in dollars if they can pay in their own currency?"

Sinclair added, "We're in a hell of a mess. If the world drops the 'Petrodollar', we'll have a hot war in a week. We will go to war over the Petrodollar."

While the Bible doesn't mention a war between the US and Russia, it does detail a war between Russia (Magog & friends) and Israel. (Ez. 38 and 39)

Where's the United States?

Apparently, on the sidelines wringing her hands.

Jim Sinclair on USA Watchdog.com

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army...'" Ez. 38:3-4

A wise man once said: "Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform." - RBC

News:

• The Washington Post: Vice Pres. Biden: "US military well-prepared to defend NATO Allies from Russian aggression.
• Reuters: Russian forces storm Ukraine base in Crimea, US warned Moscow of 'dark path to isolation' on Wednesday.
• CBS: Family anger erupts in Malaysia, jet search enters 13th day; Israel on high alert