Will the new year bring war or peace? This is the question uppermost in the minds of most people throughout the world as we commence the year 1968. It has been expressed in various ways in leading publications giving opinions of many writers as to their outlook for the future. All these opinions must necessarily be based on studies of current conditions with conjecture as to what will follow.
As we start the year, except for the conflict raging in the little country of Viet Nam, we find there is rest from actual war activity in the rest of the world. However there are serious problems and a general feeling of unrest in very country. While some are optimistic to the outcome of the existing war Asia, there is apprehension among knowledge experts on world affairs at war may break out in other areas. the leading question remains, will the w year bring about additional wars world wide peace?
Most authorities are agreed that the a where the threat is most serious is the Middle East. We know from Bible prophecy that just prior to the return of Christ to the earth there will be war involving the nation of Israel, so it appears that the opinions of these experts based on current events are supported by the Scriptures.
While there are other parts of the world that have conflicts and disagreements that could lead to war, the Middle East is unique in its situation. There are so many types of people, such a diversity of interests with strong desires for territorial occupation in the nations surrounding the Mediterranean, there is continual animosity among them. Conditions could be likened to a series of powder kegs with lighted fuses, which could burst into flame ending in war or at least threats of war. Even though these outbursts have been extinguished before spreading into world-wide conflict, the danger is always there, and could explode at any moment, bringing about extensive war. Several months ago we saw actual war between the nation of Israel and her Arab neighbors More recently a disagreement between Greece and Turkey regarding conditions on the Island of Cyprus brought about the threat of war which in this case subsided The situation concerning Israel and the Arabs is familiar to all the very existence of Israel as a nation was at stake, and the feeling generally throughout the world was that Israel would be overrun because of the vast superiority of the Arabs in actual numbers Bible students with faith in the Word of God were not surprised that Israel prevailed.
Great changes have taken place in Israel since the war step by step she has established new frontiers that offer maximum security against her hostile Arab neighbors She is steadily moving ahead in the formation of a greater Israel em bracing, either by annexation or military control, all the land captured in the war Her leaders are firm in their stand that these frontiers will be abandoned only in exchange for an acceptable peace treaty The military defense of Israel is easier than before because of the shortening of their hordes For instance, the frontier with Egypt which was 165 miles long before the war has been reduced to 60 miles, and the frontier with Jordan was reduced from 200 miles to 50 miles Fear of another war with the Arabs does not worry the Israelis One of their cabinet ministers recently pointed out that they had fought three wars against the combined strength of the Arabs and won in each case, and if there is a fourth, under present conditions the war would be won more decisively than before.
What does disturb Israel is the growing Soviet military presence in the Mediterranean and the Middle East On land and sea the Russians keep pushing ahead Their warships are cruising the Mediterranean in increasing numbers On land since the Arab-Israeli war they have stepped up their penetration into Egypt, Syria and Algeria Thousands of Russian technicians has been sent to these countries to train armies in the use of Soviet equipment It was recently reported that Russian pilots have been integrated into the Arab air forces for training purposes.
Meanwhile the recent skirmish between Greece and Turkey concerning control of the Island of Cyprus was settled amicably One might wonder why so much concern over this small island. The answer lies in its strategic location in the Mediterranean between Turkey and Syria rid about 500 miles east of the Greek mainland.
The population of Cyprus is approximately 600,000 of which about 80% are Greek Orthodox Christians and the balance Turkish Moslems. A former British Crown Colony, the island became a republic in 1960. Since the appointment of an archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church as President of Cyprus in 1963 thee Turks have not participated in governmental activities. The Greek majority wants union of the entire island with Greece. The Turks want partition of Cyprus so that they can live apart from the Greeks. Though Cyprus has no regular armed forces of its own, both Greece and Turkey have troops on the island, and any conflict would be between these opposing forces. Where the island itself may be of no particular importance to other country, any war between them would have widespread implications because of its strategic position. Its location has tremendous importance to any nation which is very determinedly trying to expand its sphere of influence in the Mediterranean Sea. A war between Turkey and Greece would weaken both countries and would benefit only Russia and the adjacent Communistic states. Turkey is bordered on the east by the Soviet Union, by Syria and the Mediterranean on the south and west and Bulgaria and the Black Sea on the north. Conditions between Turkey and Russia have never been cordial and in the past 300 years Turkey and Russia have fought 13 wars. Greece is no better off. She is ringed on the north by three communist states, Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. All other borders are sea coasts on the Mediterranean with dozens of islands which account for one fifth of Greece.
A look at the map of the area indicates the advantage to Russia in the conquest of these countries. Control of Turkey would give access to the Dardanelles, the outlet into the Mediterranean, and open the way to military advances to the entire Middle East. Greece is the only non-communist land between Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
It is essential in the strategy of Russian plans to keep trouble stirred up in the Middle East and along all shores of the Mediterranean. The present seemingly peaceful conditions will not continue. Leading analysts of world affairs consider the Arab-Israeli war is just in recess, not over by any means, and that the abatement of the Cyprus disturbance does not end war threats in the Mediterranean. The situation is highly explosive and can erupt at any moment.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One