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Ukrainian Instability, Russian Initiative

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Over the past decade, Ukraine has been caught in a tense struggle between the European Union and Russia, its former master. Russian President Vladimir Putin exacerbated the crisis by imposing strict border controls on Ukrainian goods, increasing duties by five to forty percent. After the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, who later sought refuge in southern Russia, tensions escalated in Ukraine's eastern regions, particularly in Crimea, where pro-Russian sentiments are strong with Russians comprising nearly 60% of the population. Russian troops mobilized to the Ukrainian border, and armed men in unmarked fatigues seized government buildings in Crimea, as well as the international airport and a military airfield in Sevastopol. Despite international criticism, Moscow claimed its military actions in Crimea were to protect its Black Sea fleet under prior agreements. On March 1, Russia's upper house of parliament approved Putin's request to use military force in Ukraine to safeguard Russians in the east. On March 18, Putin signed a treaty annexing Crimea into Russia, marking Moscow's first border expansion since World War II. By March 23, nearly 200 military sites in Crimea displayed the Russian flag, and approximately 40,000 troops were stationed in adjacent areas. Despite the United Nations General Assembly declaring the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol illegal, Putin has shown no intention of retreat, though he reduced troop levels in southern Russia. Recently, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Crimea, promising financial support to its government and pay raises to its workers, signaling Russia's intent to retain its newly acquired territory. Putin's strategic move to annex Crimea secures greater control over the Black Sea, brings millions of Russians back under Russian governance, and fortifies a vulnerable point in Russia's southern defenses, marking Russia as a formidable power once again.

Cold War Redux?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Vladimir Putin's leadership has brought Russia back into play as a world power, and nearby nations are once again bracing against its unwelcome aggression.

Franco-German Divergence

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

World news, events, and trends highlighting biblical prophecy for March-April 2005: Franco-German Divergence.

NATO: In Search of a Mission

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Having failed to keep the Russians out and the Germans down, NATO is struggling to remain relevant in a changing world.

A Battle Group for Eastern Europe

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A little-known town in Eastern Europe has given its name to a newly formed battle group consisting of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Germany Ascendant

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Many who believe Germany to be modern Assyria have waited a long time for Germany to rise again. Signs in Europe point in that direction.

The Awakening Bear

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Russian President Vladimir Putin is turning his nation's interests outward—and that does not bode well for international relations.

Down But Not Out!

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Russia seems like a nation—an empire—in deep decline. But is it? We would be wise to keep an eye on the Russian bear!

A Threat in Central Asia

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We would be wise to keep an eye on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization over the next few years.

Who Is America's Greatest Enemy?

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The United States stands weakened by worldwide conditions, but its foreign enemies cannot match its power. Its real foe lies much closer.

A Strengthening Germany

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Despite Germany's amicable relationships with its neighbors for two generations, signs of Berlin's growing influence are causing anxiety across Europe.

Slowly Sinking

'WorldWatch' by Joseph B. Baity

Recently, the vaunted power of the American armed forces has begun to erode under weak and vacillating leadership, undermining its hegemony.

The Final Frontier?

'WorldWatch' by Joseph B. Baity

The space race began less than seventy years ago, and now humanity stands on the brink of space-based weaponry and its potential for disaster on Earth.

Rudderless Leadership in U.S. Foreign Affairs

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

With one look at American activity on the world scene, an observer is struck by the lack of coherence of this administration's foreign policy.

The Rise (Again) of Nations

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The last few decades have seen the rise of globalism as a prime factor in international relations. But the pendulum is swinging back toward nationalism.

A Perfect Storm of National Cycles

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

The societal and generational cycles of America, Europe, and Russia are converging, and the result will prove to be devastating.

Anti-Americanism Abroad

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God prophesies that Israel will be conquered in the end time. Could anti-American sentiment, especially in Europe, be the beginning of the end?

Germany's Dilemma

'WorldWatch' by David C. Grabbe

Germany is an industrial powerhouse, the richest economy in Europe, but it must prop up several poor-performing economies throughout the rest of the EU.

The Geopolitics of Israel

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The land of Israel's position at the crossroads of three continents makes the Holy Land strategically valuable to the great powers around it.

Population Trends in Asia (Part One): Charting Ups and Downs

CGG Weekly by Charles Whitaker

Three events are taking place in Asia with an intensity never before witnessed in human history—at least not since the Flood. How might they affect us?

Age of Empires

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The United States used to be the world's superpower and policeman. Today, however, new powers are rising to fill the vacuum created by America's retreat.

Birthrates in Decline

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Statistics show that the birth rate for the Western nations has dropped below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman, sometimes significantly so.

A World at War

'WorldWatch' by Joseph B. Baity

Global conflict increased dramatically between 2021 and 2023, in contrast to the prior six years. The outlook for peace apart from Christ's return is dim.

Peace and Safety?

'Prophecy Watch' by Earl L. Henn

With the end of the Cold War, are we entering a time of peace? Hardly. Human nature remains the same, so war is never far off!

Population Trends in Asia (Part Two): The Graying of Asia

CGG Weekly by Charles Whitaker

Only a catastrophe of biblical proportions could forestall the tendency for Asia's populations to age substantially between now and 2025.

Demography Is Destiny

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Population trends become reliable trends of future national consequences. We do not have a debt crisis as much as a death crisis.

Blood and Soil: The Persistence of Anti-Semitism

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

Why has anti-Semitism remained a part of this world's way of thinking? Recent history shows that anti-Semitism has morphed into new expressions of an old evil.

The Zeitgeist of Suicide (Part One): Weeping for the Children Who Are Not

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

It seems counter-intuitive to think that the world's population is shrinking, but trend lines show the possibility of a 95% reduction in population ahead.

Evil Is Real (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Liberalism rarely considers actual outcomes—that is, it often promotes a course of action without studying how such actions has worked out in the past.

The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1995)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because restraints that once held human nature in check have been removed, the US has grown increasingly more corrupt, approaching conditions before the Flood.

I Versus We

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Opposing worldviews, individualism and collectivism, fight for dominance in cultures worldwide. Their struggle may play a prominent role in the end time.