Putin puts private pursuit packing

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree making Russia's main state-run weapons exporter, Rosoboronexport, "the only enterprise in Russia with the right to conduct foreign trade activity in relation to all products of military purpose." Putin did this with one swipe of his ink pen. Done. Beginning and end of discussion. Sounds like the old Russia is baaaack!

Just who is Russia selling these arms to? China, India, Venezuela, Algeria and Iran.

Previously, the aircraft maker MiG and several other arms manufacturers had the right to directly export their products.

Russia's arms exports exceeded $6 billion in 2005, setting a new post-Soviet record.

Last year, a report released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service said that Russia was ahead of France and the United States in arms deals with developing nations in 2005. It said Russia had developed good financing and payment arrangements, as well as extensive licensed production agreements to increase its market share. (source)

Putin will be traveling to India next week, but prior to that visit Russia plans to conduct the "inaugural flight" of the aircraft carrier-borne MiG-29 fighter jets being produced specifically for India. India plans to spend $30 billion on weapon imports during (2007-2012) and is the 'the largest arms importer in the developing world'.

Through the sonic boom generated by the MiG-29, Russia intends to send a strong message that it's keen to retain the edge over other countries in supplying military hardware and software to India despite deep inroads being made by Israel, France and now increasingly, the US. [snip]

As part of the $1.6 billion (Rs 6,900 crore) deal signed with Russia in January 2004, the Indian Navy will get 16 MiG-29s along with the 44,570-tonne Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya. While 12 of these fighters will be the single-seat 'K' variants, the other four will be twin-seater 'KUB' trainer versions. (source)

So what is really going on in Russia? Viktor Erofeyev in the Herald Tribune asks, "Who's using gas to twist the arms of its neighbors — Georgia, Ukraine and now Belarus? Who's conducting an ethnic cleansing campaign against those same Georgians? Who killed the independent journalist Anna Politkovskaya and poisoned Alexandre Litvinenko before the eyes of the world? Who's playing a double game in Iran?"

Our answer would be 'Russia'. But Mr. Erofeyev points out that the Kremlin rejects all these accusations:

It did not abuse its neighbors — these were purely commercial issues, and moreover on territory that lies within Russia's sphere of interest. The assassinations were obviously useful to the Kremlin's enemies, and were apparently ordered by political émigrés. And so on. [snip]

Russia had never been as rich as it was now -- this may have been largely luck, but it is a fact and the population supports Putin in overwhelming numbers. (source)

Sunday, January 21, 2007, 'a Japanese fishing boat with six on board was captured by the Russian border guard near disputed waters off Hokkaido' and 'in August 2006, a Japanese fisherman was shot dead by gunfire from a Russian patrol vessel while operating on a fishing boat sailing in waters around one of the disputed islands known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. (source)

Putin said today that 'Russia is ready for a constructive dialog with the European Union (EU) over energy supplies that is based on mutual respect for interests.'

Words are cheap Mr. Putin. The world has moved on from the day when President George W. Bush looked deep into Putin's eyes and perceived there a worthy soul. What businesses will Putin take over next? Is this democracy? I think not.

Other reading:
Please read about the female Muslim cop in the UK, who refuses to touch a man. Now just how is she supposed to tackle and arrest the bad guys if she won't touch a man? This is just retarded. Angel has the story here.

Are You Proud To Be An American?, Wake Up America

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2007, Faultline USA

Comments

[Night Rider]

Hi jason,

Am I a student of the Word of God?

I guess that I am a student of some sort, I more or less classify myself as a practicing Christian.

My Pastor does read a lot of what Joel C. Rosenberg publishes and I thought that if he does than It wouldn't hurt any if I did too.

[Jason]

Night Rider, I'm greatly impressed. I thought only bible scholars and seminary students like myself would know most of that. Are you a student of the Word of God?

[Night Rider]

Jason

According to Joel C. Rosenberg's book The Ezekiel Option.

First, a careful examination of Ezekiel reveals that these prophecies are very much applicable to our times -- indeed, some of these prophecies have already come true. Ezekiel 36 and 37, for example, are famous for predicting that Israel will one day be reborn as a modern country, that Jews will pour back into the Holy Land after centuries of exile, that Jews will rebuild the "ancient ruins" and make the deserts bloom, that Israel will develop a vast and powerful military, and that Israel will become remarkably wealthy. These prophecies have all come true in our lifetime. They began to be fulfilled in the early 1900s, accelerated in 1948 and 1967, and continue to come true to this day. This raises an interesting question: If Ezekiel 36 and 37 have come true in our lifetime, isn't it possible that we will see chapters 38 and 39 come true in our lifetime as well?

Second, leading Bible scholars agree that Russia is the leader of the anti-Israeli coalition described in Ezekiel 38-39. True, Ezekiel never uses the word Russia. Instead, he says a dictator referred to as "Gog" will arise in the land of "Magog," and will be the "prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal." The first century historian Josephus wrote in his classic work, Antiquities of the Jews, that the "Magogites" are the people that the Greeks refer to as "Scythians." Study the history of the ancient Scythians and you will quickly discover that these were a brutal and bloodthirsty people that settled north of the Black Sea in the area we now call Russia and the former Soviet republics. In the fall of 2004, I went to Moscow to do research for The Ezekiel Option. I visited the State Historical Museum on Red Square and was amazed to see numerous Scythian artifacts prominently displayed. Russia is proud of its Scythian tradition, and this helps us pinpoint Russia as the modern country to which Ezekiel was referring. Other Bible scholars note that when Ezekiel mentions "Rosh" he is using the root word for Russia. Others believe "Meshech" refers to Moscow and "Tubal" refers to the Tubal River in Siberia and the Siberian city of Tobolsk. There is some disagreement among scholars about these last identifications. But in my forthcoming non-fiction book, Epicenter: Why The Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your World (launching October 1, 2006) , I will walk readers through the research in even more detail, and cite numerous leading Bible scholars who agree that Russia will certainly be the leader of the anti-Israel coalition in what Ezekiel describes as "the last days."

Third, the Bible is clear that Iran will see to annihilate Israel in the last days. The word "Iran" is never mentioned by Ezekiel. But the Hebrew prophet does say "Persia" will be Russia's first ally in this cataclysmic war against Israel. Until 1935, Persia was the official name of the country we now refer to as Iran.

Fourth, Ezekiel says this coalition of Russian, Iranian, Syria, Lebanese and other Islamic military forces will come "like a storm" against Israel (38:9). Interestingly enough, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech in April of this year in which he vowed to destroy Israel in a "storm."

[Jason]

Very true, Debbie. But I'm not actually making a prediction. Just pointing out a Scriptural basis for many of the things we see going on. Belief in the Rapture and Tribulation, much less the time table for each, is not actually a prerequsite for entering the Kingdom of God. All we must do is confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead on the third day.

[Debbie]

Very interesting, Jason. I know lots of folks who believe Russia and China play a big part in end times events. It's easy to read scripture and try to put a time on events. But remember that God said 'not even the Son knows' when He will return again. And also a 'thousand years is like a day'.

[Layla]

Unfortunately there is no real democracy in Russia and Putin is two faced and cannot be trusted. Yes words are cheap-especially when one does not mean them. So much for meaning what you say and saying what you mean. That is an oxy moron for Mr. Putin.

[Jason]

Daniel, the great prophet of the Most High God said it best:

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." - Daniel 11:40

Many of the phrophecies that Daniel revealed have to do with the End Times. Consider these other End Times issues:

1) The US is losing influence in world affairs and economics. The US is also not referenced (directly or indirectly) anywhere in Scripture.

2) In 1985 Saddam began rebuilding Babylon. The UN and the Iraqi government are currently making plans to continue reconstruction.

3) The entire world, with the exception of the US (for now), has turned against Israel.

4) Sins of every sort are on the rise. Murder, theft, war, idolitry, greed, etc. are increasing. Most people have a "me first" attitude and do not care for and have no love for their neighbor much less their enemy.

5) The Gospel has spread through every country.

6) In Matthew 24:32-33 and Mark 13:28-29, Jesus discusses the End Times and how to know the time is near. The Fig Tree has long been a symbol of Israel (look at the profile of a fig tree and compare it to a Menorah). Well, the Fig Tree (Israel), was reborn in 1948. In Matthew 24:34 (See also Mark 13:30 and Luke 21:32) Jesus says, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." A generation is between 70 (modern) and 120 (Genesis 6:3) years. So we are looking at dates between 2018 and 2068.

Might Russia's return to pre-Glasnost days be Scriptural? Might their selling arms to Iran and other Muslim countries be the fulfillment of prophecy?

I guess we'll soon find out.