1http://www.passportsrus.com/images/russia-map.jpg
The Russian Invasion of Georgia:
What Leverage Does Israel have against a Military Invasion by Russia?
One month into Russia's military invasion of its tiny neighbour and former Soviet satellite, this Great Power and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has thumbed its nose at its allies and the United States. The question is, can anyone get Russia out of Georgia? And what happens if Russia invades other sovereign states?
Days after Russia invaded Georgia (August 7), the Russians were told to "get out" by the United States, but the Russians are fighting back with what amounts to contempt toward the United States and Europe. On Tuesday, September 2, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned the West that it would lose more than Moscow if it tried to punish Russia with sanctions over the war with Georgia.2
The Jerusalem Post, citing an interview Medvedev had the same day with Italian RAI television, quoted the President, saying that Russia does not fear expulsion from the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations. Medvedev's remarks followed statements by his predecessor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who recently accused the United States of instigating the fighting in Georgia in connection with the US presidential campaign - a claim the White House dismissed as 'patently false.' Medvedev also warned that NATO would suffer more than Russia if ties with Moscow were severed. 'We don't see anything dramatic or difficult about suspending our relations if that's the wish of our partners,' Medvedev said. 'But I think that our partners will lose more from that.'3
Russia Eyes "The Bigger Picture": The Diplomatic Fallout
The Politico reports that Russia has long attempted to reclaim now-sovereign parts of the former Soviet Union, stoking conflicts in the enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are universally recognized to be Georgian soil. Russia has also used the ensuing military tensions to set back Georgia's bid to enter NATO.4
Consequently, Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia, and Russia retaliated on Wednesday, September 3, by closing its Embassy in Georgia.
'A break-off of diplomatic ties is an action that has a price,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said in Moscow. He said the ministry is considering other measures. The diplomatic break follows a war between Georgia and Russia in August and Moscow's recognition of two separatist Georgian regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as independent nations. The conflict has brought tensions between Moscow and the West to their highest level since the 1991 end of the Soviet Union.5
What's with Georgia? "Georgia straddles a major westward route for oil and gas from Central Asia and the Caspian Sea and has become the focus of a struggle for regional clout between Russia and the West.'6
The 'big picture,' in Russian eyes, is the fact that they desperately want to regain strategic global prominence. Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, felt wounded in its pride; its superpower status was gone; and it was broke. Today, Russia has energy resources and is surrounded by States, formerly part of the Soviet Union, which are also rich in oil and natural gas. Russia is no longer a 'wounded cub' but, rather, a 'powerful bear.' The truth is that Russia wants to challenge the West, to test its commitment to the preservation of international peace and security. Just look at the countries with which Russia is forming closer ties: Syria, Iran, and the like...
Meanwhile, Russia's bellicose stance has the international community divided on whether to go 'soft' or 'hard' on Russia. The Russian leadership knows that its natural resources provide it with leverage, and Russia's current stance is to hold its ground rather than back down. Moscow has set its sights on countering US influence in its 'front and backyards.' It's a quest for hegemonic power.
What does Russia have to do with Israel?
Israel is surrounded by States with which Russia either has close ties or with which it seeks to strengthen relations. The total Arab population in the world is estimated to be 325 million people – 24 countries and territories spanning 2 billion acres across two continents. In the tiny Jewish State of Israel, on the other hand, there reside a little over 5.5 million Jews. Also residing in Israel are approximately 1.46 million Muslims and Christians and 0.32 million others, bringing the estimated total population in Israel to 7.28 million. Despite this disparity in size, it is predicted that Russia will one day lead a coalition of forces into Israel, perhaps on the pretext that it was warranted in defence of one of Israel's populous neighbouring states.
Author Joel C. Rosenberg, in his book Epicenter, argues that Russian leaders have long been scheming of ways to gain control of central and near-east Asia. This is why the Soviets had armed the Arab world to the teeth during the Cold War and backed them in the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars against Israel.7
Pentagon planners, notes Rosenberg, have been preparing for the possibility of a Moscow-led invasion of the Middle East for years. In their 1996 book, The Next War, former Reagan defence secretary Caspar Weinberger and co-author Peter Schweizer laid out five scenarios for current and future war planners and policy makers to consider in the post-Soviet world. Among them, an ultranationalist radical seizes control of Russia to re-conquer the former Soviet empire, and a nuclear-armed Iran launches a war in the Persian Gulf and initiates a wave of radical Islamic terrorism across Europe and the US.8
If you think that this proposition is outrageous, then think again. Russia has invaded Afghanistan and Georgia; it threatens Poland and the Ukraine; and it continues to assist Iran with its nuclear site despite United Nations misgivings.
Russia and the Book of Ezekiel
17'This is what the Almighty LORD says: You are the one I spoke about long ago through my servants the prophets of Israel. They prophesied in those days that I would bring you to attack them. 18 On the day that Gog attacks the land of Israel, I will be filled with burning anger, declares the Almighty LORD. 19 In my fiery anger I tell you this. On that day there will be a large earthquake in the land of Israel. 20 Fish, birds, wild animals, everything that crawls on the ground, and every person on earth will tremble in my presence. The mountains will be torn down, the cliffs will crumble, and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 I will declare war against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Almighty LORD. Each person will use his sword against his relative. 22 I will punish Gog with plagues and death. I will send rainstorms, large hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur on his troops and on the many armies with him. 23 I will show my greatness and my holiness. I will reveal myself to many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.9
In essence, who is Gog and where did he come from?
1 The LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 2 'Son of man, turn to Gog from the land of Magog. He is the chief prince of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him. 3 Tell him, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws. I will lead you out with all your military forces, with horses and riders. Your soldiers will be fully armed. They will carry large and small shields and be able to use swords. 5 Persia, Sudan, and Put will be with you. They, too, will have shields and helmets. 6 Gomer will come with all its troops and with the nation of Togarmah from the far north. There will be many armies with you.10
Rosenberg submits that the words Russia, Moscow, Soviet Union and Czar never appear in these passages. In fact, they do not appear anywhere in the Book of Ezekiel. Nor are they mentioned anywhere in the Bible. But there is no doubt that the ancient prophet was referring to the nation we now know as Russia.11 Furthermore, he cogently argues that a study of ancient Hebrew; ancient history and modern-day geography points us to Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk (in Siberia), respectively.
Conclusion
Russia's future invasion of Israel was scripted in Bible prophecy centuries ago. This event will serve as a lesson of the grace of God toward Israel and of judgment on the invading armies. When this invasion takes place, more than likely the international community will be taken by surprise and may be ambivalent toward the plight of Israel. Yet, Israel will have an ally, who will defeat the enemy… see Ezekiel 18 and 23, above. God will be Israel's defender.
Sources:
2The Jerusalem Post, International Jpost.com, "West will suffer more than Moscow". Associated Press, Moscow. September 2, 2008, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220353264964&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.
3Ibid
4Politico, Invasion of Georgia a '3:00 am' Moment, Ben Smith. September 2, 2008, http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12409.html.
5MSNBC, US plans $1billion aid package for Georgia. Cheney, in Azerbaijan, says US has 'deep' interest in region's stability. Associated Press, September 3, 2008, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26525962.
6Ibid
7Rosenberg, Joel C. Epicenter. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, Illinois, USA. 2006, (p. 38).
8Ibid, p. 38.
9Ezekiel 38: 17-23. Biblos.com. God's Word Translation, http://gwt.scripturetext.com/ezekiel/38.htm.
11Ibid Ezekiel 38: 1-6.
12Rosenberg, p. 82.
13Ibid, p. 85
Others:
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Arab World, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_World.
Jewish Virtual Library, The Jewish Population of the world, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.html.
Moshe Aumann, Retired Israeli Diplomat. Reference to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics Report, Independence Day 2008.
Cherub A. Nicholls
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