Syria

Syria crisis: Ships return as chemical removal slips

Dec. 31, 2013 - The deadline for the first milestone of the plan to rid Syria of its chemical weapons will not be met because the Norwegian and Danish ships scheduled to remove them from Syria are returning to port in Cyprus. The operation is hampered by shifting battle lines, road closures and bad weather.

Source: BBC

Prophetic Significance of Syria

Large explosion reported at Syrian army missile base

Oct. 31, 2013 -

Strike follows Lebanese media reports that Israeli aircraft circled above southern Lebanon

Details are sketchy, but a Facebook page belonging to a group of Syrian rebels said that a missile fired from the sea struck the military base in Latakia. It was not known if there were any casualties. Many people think that Israel conducted the attack, but so far Israeli sources have declined to comment about it.

Source: Haaretz - This article reports on several other recent Israeli strikes.

Syrian base targeted in blast may have housed advanced missiles - Times of Israel

The shadow war against the Iranian-Hezbollah armament program - Jerusalem Post

Syria chemical weapons equipment destroyed, says OPCW

Oct. 31, 2013 - The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced that Syria's equipment for producing chemical weapons has been destroyed one day before the deadline for this action. In addition, the existing weapons have been placed under seal.

Source: BBC

Syria Spillover Violence in Lebanon Raises Alarms

Oct. 30, 2013 - Lebanese supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have had recent deadly clashes. Seven days of such fighting in Tripoli, the second largest city of Lebanon, have killed at least 17 and injured more than 100 people.

The fighting is prompting worries once again that spillover violence from the civil war raging in neighboring Syria will trigger widespread sectarian conflict in Lebanon.

Source: Voice of America

Al-Nusra Front forging al-Qaida base in Syria

Sept. 27, 2013 - A detailed report on the rapid growth of the Al-Nusra group in Syria has been released by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center near Tel Aviv. Dr. Reuven Erlich, the head of the center said the rate of the group, which is related to Al-Qaida, is alarming.

“What took 10 years to happen in Afghanistan occurred in Syria within a year or two," said Erlich. . . "Syria is in heart of Middle East and in the backyard of Europe, and borders Israel. Geo-politically, it’s more central than Afghanistan and Pakistan."

According to Erlich, this means that Syria will soon begin exporting terrorism.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Syria submits chemical weapons inventory, meeting Russia, US deadline

Sept. 21, 2013 - Syria has turned over information on its chemical weapons as demanded by the U.S. and Russia.

The disclosure is a crucial stage in the process that should lead to the weapons' destruction. Syria is believed to possess about 1,000 [tons] of toxins, and has agreed to destroy them under a joint Russian-U.S. proposal designed to avert a US military strike on Syria.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will vote soon on a plan to destroy Syria's stockpiles of chemical arms by mid-2014. Russia has threatened to withdraw support from Assad if he is not honest about the information.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Defiant Assad claims government did not use chem weapons, vows to abide by agreement

Sept. 19, 2013 - During an interview conducted by Fox News' Greg Palkot, Syrian President Bashar Assad admitted that Syria has chemical weapons.

"It's not a secret anymore," he said, referencing his government's decision to join the international Chemical Weapons Convention. . . "We have evidence that terrorist groups (have) used sarin gas... We didn't use any chemical weapons."

Source: Fox

Syrian defector: I was told to use chemical weapons

sept. 18, 2013 - Syrian Brigadier General Zaher Saket said he was instructed three times to use chemical gas against rebels last year, but he refused and defected from the military.

Saket further claimed that chemical weapons had been transported into Lebanon to the hands of Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah.

Source: Times of Israel

Syria tells Russia it has proof rebels used chemicals - BBC

UN report cites ‘convincing’ evidence sarin used in Syria

Sept. 16, 2013 - The long-awaited U.N. report on the Syrian chemical weapons attack cites strong evidence that the deadly chemical sarin was used. However, the report does not identify which side of the civil war forces used the chemicals.

US, British and French diplomats said the findings of the UN inspectors supported their conclusion that Assad regime was to blame. Russia disagreed.

Source: Times of Israel

Russia: Rebels Responsible for Chemical Weapons Attack - NewsMax

Report: Putin to travel to Iran for nuclear strategy talks

Sept. 15, 2013 - On the heels of his successful scheme to avert a U.S. missile strike on Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited by Iranian President Hassan Rowhanito visit Iran in the near future. He will presumably help them develop a strategy for their continued nuclear development program.

Putin, seen by Iran’s clerical establishment as a strong opponent to America and the West . . . was approached by Iran to protect the Islamic regime in the face of continued pressure by the West over its illicit nuclear program.

Source: Daily Caller

Putin to visit Iran for first time in six years. Historic trip will raise renewed interest in the “Gog & Magog” prophecies - Joel Rosenberg's Blog

1 in 3 Americans Link Syrian Conflict to Bible's End-Time Prophecy, Survey Finds - Christian Post

Shocking number say End Times have arrived - WND

What the Press Isn't Telling You About Syria - Christian Post

Could Syria ignite World War 3? That's the terrifying question as the hatred between two Muslim ideologies sucks in the world's superpowers - Daily Mail

Obama-Putin deal didn’t stop at chemical Syria: US eases sanctions on nuclear Iran

Sept. 14, 2013 - In quiet discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama, easing of sanctions with Iran was also considered.

The Russian leader appears to have assured Obama that an agreed formula for defusing the Syrian chemical weapons issue without military force would provide the key to progress in nuclear talks with Iran.

Source: DEBKAfile

An Israeli Strike on Iran Just Got More Likely - New Republic

Putin Writes Op-Ed for NY Times: America Not 'Exceptional'

Sept. 12, 2013 - The New York Times published an op-ed piece by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He wrote that an attack against Syria would cause more terrorism and violence. He ridiculed President Obama's view of American "exceptionalism." He said:

"A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa."

Source: NewsMax

A Plea for Caution From Russia - What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria - N.Y. Times

Editor's note: It is interesting that the last sentence of Putin's article is: "We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal."

Pastors: here are 24 pages of study notes on Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49 & the future of Damascus. Please feel free to share with others

Sept. 12, 2013 - Rosenberg summarizes the issue about the prophecies of the utter destruction of Syria.

1.Yes, the Bible says Damascus will be “cease to be a city” in the future.
2.No, these prophecies have never been fulfilled.
3.No, we don’t know that these prophecies will come to pass soon, or even in our lifetime.

He offers pastors and other Bible students his study notes on the subject.

Source: Joel Rosenberg

Syria accepts Russian proposal on weapons; France to bring resolution to Security Council

Sept. 10, 2013 - The Russian proposal to avert a U.S. strike against Syria by transferring control of its chemical weapons was accepted by Syria. China offered their support for the idea.

Russia floated the idea of handing over the weapons Monday, after a seemingly off-hand remark by U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry that such a move would be the only way . . . to avoid a U.S. military strike.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said his country would draft a U.N. Security Council resolution to put the plan into effect.

Source: Washington Post

Israel unconvinced by Russian plan for Syrian chemical arms - The Times of Israel

Assad threatens 'repercussions' if US launches strike on Syria

Sept. 9, 2013 - Syrian President Assad told CBS News that if the U.S. attacks Syria, "You should expect everything." He went on to explain that in addition to what his own government might do in response, the rebel forces could use the chemical weapons. He also warned that Syria's allies would respond.

Source: Fox

Assad says his friends will hit US and allies if struck - Times of Israel

World War 3 Scenario Possible If US Enters Syria - The Inquisitr

Iranian FM: US will ignite a fire across the Middle East if it attacks Syria - Jerusalem Post

Direct link between Assad and gas attack remains elusive for U.S.

Sept. 7, 2013 - While President Obama tries to convince US Congress to attack Syria, the evidence released so far does not show a direct link to President Bashar Assad or his inner circle. More than 1400 people were killed by sarin nerve gas, but Assad's government claims that Sunni rebels were behind the attack to turn world opinion against Assad.

After wrongly claiming that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction before the 2003 U.S. invasion, the U.S. intelligence community, along with the Obama administration, are trying to build as solid a case as they can about [the attack].

Source: Haaretz

Arab Christians come out strongly against US strike in Syria - Yahoo

Preslident's Address: Calling for Limited Military Action in Syria - YouTube

Syrian Christians in Danger if US Attacks, Christian Relief Worker Says - Christian Post

Glenn Beck, Savage, Levin Join Rush in Opposing Attack - NewsMax

Report: US intercepts Iranian order to attack American interests in response to Syria strike

Sept. 6, 2013 - Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds force, has instructed their allies in Iraq to attack US interests if the US conducts military strikes in Syria.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief, Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Ali Jafari, said last week that a US military attack on Syria would lead to the “imminent destruction” of Israel and would prove a “second Vietnam” for America.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Christian Leaders in Middle East Largely Opposed to U.S. Military Strike in Syria, Says World Evangellical Alliance - Christian Post

Steve Emerson: Rebels Will Turn on US - NewsMax

Syria says will not give in 'even if there is WWIII' - YNet

Russia gave UN 100-page report in July blaming Syrian rebels for Aleppo sarin attack - McClatchy

Obama to 'engage' Putin on Syria action at G20 summit

Sept. 5, 2013 - President Obama is in Russia for the G20 summit. He has canceled a formal one-on-one meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but he says he will still speak with him. Yesterday he admitted that U.S.-Russian relations have "hit a wall."

"It is not possible for Mr. Assad to regain legitimacy in a country where he's killed tens of thousands of his own people," Obama said. "So far, at least, Mr. Putin has rejected that logic."

Source: Fox

China backs Russia on Syria at G20 - Financial Times

NATO chief ‘convinced’ Assad ordered chemical attack

Sept. 2, 2013 -

The Secretary General of NATO said Monday he wass “convinced” chemical weapons were used by the Syrian forces in an attack last month that left hundreds dead, and called for a “firm” international response.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the evidence is strong that Syrian soldiers loyal to president Bashar Assad had carried out the deadly chemical weapon assault on August 21. He called for a strong international reaction to the attack but said that NATO would not take part in any military action unless Turkey, a NATO member, is attacked by Syria.

Source: Times of Israel

White House Girds for Battle With Congress on Syria - Wall Street Journal

Obama faces renewed international opposition on Syria, while trying to win US support - Fox

USS Nimitz Carrier Group Rerouted for Possible Help with Syria - NewsMax

Arab allies of US exasperated by Western stance on Syria - Jerusalem Post

Syria crisis: UN says more than 2m have fled - BBC

Syria Facing U.S. Cyber Attacks in Upcoming Strikes - Prophecy Central Cyber War section