Political landscape is changing again. After the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, the nations of the world rallied around the United States and went out of their way to ensure the Americans would not include them in reprisal attacks. For instance, the Iranian government condemned al Qaeda’s attack on the United States and, in fact, Tehran offered limited military support in announcing that U.S. warplanes could land on Iranian soil in an emergency.
It looked as if the political landscape would continue to remain contrary to those of prophecies concerning the latter days. However, in early February, 2002, in his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush claimed Iran was part of the “axis of evil.” This month’s article will look at the recent events regarding Iran, and conclude that indeed we are now witnessing first hand, signs that the latter days are now upon us.
State of the Union address
In President Bush’s State of the Union address in early February, he reclassified Iran from a rogue state to membership in an “axis of evil ” In doing so he placed Iran in the same category as Iraq and North Korea
Stratfor on-line reported that Iran has been working diligently to make friends and peace with the United States “Iran’s policy had been evolving for quite a while under President Mohammed Khatami, who appeared to be seeking an opening to the United States and the West The United States certainly encouraged this First, a better relationship with Iran was an end in itself Second, since the United States has a core regional policy of maintaining the balance of power between Iran and Iraq, having leverage with Iran was geopolitically desirable Finally, maintaining a split between the Wahhabi-dominated al Qaeda and the vast Shiite community in Iran and elsewhere made sense “
Therefore, Bush’s speech represents an admission that the process has failed Interestingly, the president condemned what he called a handful of unelected officials who have Iran in their grip In doing so, he was trying to draw a distinction between Khatami, who was elected, and the Ayatollah Khamenei This gives a sense of what the Bush administration feels has happened The conservative Khamenei has blocked Khatami’s attempt at rapprochement with the United States Moreover, Washington is concerned that Khamenei has entered into some sort of agreement with al Qaeda
Again, Strat for on-line helps to explain the reclassification “In publicly redefining U S relations with Iran, Bush may have been trying to warn Iran and Khatami about the consequences of Iran’s strategy This could as easily undermine, as it could strengthen, Khatami’s hand More important, it sets the stage for reconciliation between Iraq and Iran, which despite being bitter enemies, now share a common interest in limiting U S power in the region “
Iran’s reaction
Iran reacted quickly to the news that they are part of the “axis of evil “
The leaders initiated a tax on Islamic charitable foundations Although the tax will help the beleaguered Iranian economy, its main purpose is intended to curb the country’s religious extremists
The obvious quick solution for Iran is to look to its neighbors for help That is to say, Iran should look to Iraq for support against the U S , if only to provide for an insurance policy should the U S decide to press further Fortunately for her she didn’t have to approach the Iraqi government for assistance, Iraq approached her As reported in Strat for on-line “Iraqi Foreign Minister Nap Sabn said Iraq would do its ‘utmost’ to improve ties with Iran, the Iranian Students’ News Agency reported December 31 Sabri said the two countries need to establish good neighborly relations and that recent exchanges of prisoners of war would lay that groundwork “
As we watch this ebb and flow of current events with intense interest, let us pray the Lord may come quickly and begin the establishment of his reign of peace and righteousness.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One