8. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL FAILS TO AGREE ON IRAN SANCTIONS
9. U.S. SAYS NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR TALKS "ON TRACK"
10. TAIWAN TEST-FIRES MISSILE CAPABLE OF STRIKING CHINA
11. RUSSIAN BOMBERS COULD SUPPRESS U.S. MISSILE SHIELD
12. ISRAEL: NETANYAHU CALLS FOR NEW ELECTIONS
7. PRESIDENT BUSH FORMS COMMISSION TO CARE FOR RETURNING WOUNDED WARRIORS
On Friday, March 9, the White House released the names of seven individuals chosen to serve on the President's Commission On Care For America's Returning Wounded Warriors. On Tuesday, March 6, President Bush signed an Executive Order to establish this Commission, which will conduct a comprehensive review of the care America is providing our wounded servicemen and women returning from the battlefield. These seven individuals will join Commission Co-Chairs, Former Senator Bob Dole And Former U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala. Commission members include two veterans wounded in Iraq, the wife of an Army Staff Sergeant wounded in Iraq, the Chairman and CEO of a non- profit that constructs "comfort homes" for families of hospitalized military personnel and veterans, two leaders in the health care industry, and an expert on veterans affairs and military health care. (White House Press Release; 3/9/07)
• Pray that the members of this Commission will be graced with wisdom to do a thorough and careful review of the ways in which our nation is now caring for these wounded warriors, and to make the necessary recommendations to improve this system. Pray that the news of the terrible conditions that have come to light at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital will be used to turn this situation to good.
• "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
8. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL FAILS TO AGREE ON IRAN SANCTIONS
The world's most powerful nations failed to agree on new sanctions against Iran amid reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants to put Tehran's case for a nuclear program before the U.N. Security Council. The surprise announcement Sunday by the Iranian government spokesman on state television about Ahmadinejad's intention to fly to New York came in the throes of intense debate among the five veto-wielding permanent council members — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — and Germany on additional measures to pressure Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.
South Africa's U.N. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, whose country holds the rotating Security Council presidency, said Ahmadinejad had not made a formal request to address the U.N.'s most powerful body, but if he did, "it would be very difficult to deny him that opportunity." Kumalo said he would "be open to consulting" with the other council members on scheduling Ahmadinejad's appearance. "I would be surprised if they said they don't want to hear him," he said.
Meanwhile, Iran on Monday issued a bank note with a nuclear symbol in a move seen as an assertion of its national will in the face of international sanctions over its insistence on enriching uranium. (AP)
• Continue in mighty travailing over all news coming out of Iran in this hour. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in high places. Pull down the strongholds over the nation of Iran that are holding it captive to the delusions of a mad dictator, and ask our Lord to send forth His angelic host to do battle on behalf of TRUE "world peace."
• "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12) "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6,7)
9. U.S. SAYS NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR TALKS "ON TRACK"
After a total of eight hours of historic talks aimed at establishing normal relations with North Korea, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill was upbeat. "For now we feel we're on the right track," said Christopher Hill. He described the discussions with North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan as "marked by a sense of optimism on both sides." At the same time, he cautioned that it is far too early to, in his words, "crack out the champagne or do victory laps." Hill and Kim are working on a deal that would require Pyongyang to dismantle its plutonium-producing nuclear reactor, along with any uranium processing facilities within 60 days. In return, North Korea would receive 50,000 tons of fuel oil, as set out in an agreement reached during six-party talks in Beijing last month. If all goes well, the process could eventually lead to normalization of relations between two countries that have not been on friendly terms since North Korea was created after World War II." (Voice of America)
• Father, we offer up a fragrant offering of praise in the work that has begun with North Korea; we are thankful Lord, that You dwell in the praises of Your people; thankful Lord, that You will accomplish that which concerns us; thankful Lord that YOU have the master plan and will see it through to completion. . .
• "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:11)
10. TAIWAN TEST-FIRES CRUISE MISSILE CAPABLE OF STRIKING CHINA
Taiwan has test-fired a cruise missile capable of hitting rival China, it was reported Tuesday, amid fresh tensions across the region. The Hsiung-feng 2E (Brave Wind) cruise missile, currently capable of a range of 600 kilometers (360 miles), was test-fired at the southern Chiupeng missile base on February 2, the United Daily News reported, citing a military source. The missile could be fired from land bases, airplanes or warships and has the ability to hit Shanghai or Hong Kong, the paper said, and its range could be increased to 1,000 kilometers. The defense ministry declined to comment on the report.
The report comes as tensions across the Taiwan straight have risen after President Chen Shui-bian pledged to push for independence and a new constitution earlier this week. Chen's comments appeared to mark a shift in policy that is certain to irk China -- which regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary -- and also drew criticism from the United States, wary of the risk of conflict. Washington called Chen's latest pledge to push for independence ‘unhelpful’ and reiterated its stance against independence for the island. (SpaceWar.com)
• Father, we are concerned; but You say we are to cast our troubles on You. We are living in troubling times, and here is yet another "rumor of war". Knowing this, we pray for Taiwan and China and Your plans to be accomplished. Lord, we don't have the wisdom we need, but You do. So Lord, we ask for Your will. We ask Lord, for the Christians in both countries to be protected and strengthened - and ready. • "The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples." (Psalm 33:9-11)
11. RUSSIAN BOMBERS COULD SUPPRESS U.S. MISSILE SHIELD
Russia's strategic aviation has sufficient potential to suppress elements of a U.S. missile defense shield should it be deployed in Central Europe, the commander of the Strategic Air Force said Monday. "Missile shield elements, which are located in silos, are very vulnerable and have weak defenses," Lieutenant-General Igor Khvorov said. "Therefore, all aircraft deployed by [Russian] strategic aviation can either apply electronic counter-measures against them or physically destroy them."
Russia, which has been anxious about NATO bases that have appeared in former Communist-bloc countries and ex-Soviet republics, has blasted U.S. plans to deploy anti-missile systems in Central Europe as a national security threat and a destabilizing factor for Europe. Washington said the defenses would be designed to counter possible strikes from North Korea and Iran, which are involved in long-running disputes with the international community over their nuclear programs.
General Pyotr Deinekin, a former Commander-in- Chief of the Russian Air Force, said the deployment of U.S. missile shield elements in Eastern Europe "enables Americans to considerably expand their possibilities from the point of view of reconnaissance and the elimination of Russian missiles in the initial stage of their flight trajectory. We should now expect the deployment of their intermediate and short-range missiles in the former countries of the Warsaw Pact, including in the Baltic States," Deinekin said. (SpaceWars.com)
• Lord, in the uending back-and-forth of global politics, let us find our peace in You. We ask You to move in all relations between Russia and the United States, casting down all "vain imaginations" and estaablishing all communication in TRUTH. Thank You that You are our glory and the lifter of our heads. Amen. • "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
12. ISRAEL: NETANYAHU CALLS FOR NEW ELECTIONS
Breaking months of relative political silence, opposition leader and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday [March 7] declared that the time has come for new elections in Israel. Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu cited poll numbers that show plummeting public confidence in the ability of the Olmert government to effectively lead the nation. Those same polls show that if elections were held today, Netanyahu and the Likud would win by a fairly large margin.
In the latest survey, only 3% of Israelis said they want Olmert as prime minister, while 30% said Netanyahu is best suited for the job. Fifty-seven percent of respondents demanded immediate elections to correct the mistake that was made in last year’s election. “The Knesset may not be ready for elections, but that appears to be what the public wants,” said Netanyahu. (By Ryan Jones, Jerusalem Newswire, March 8, 2007) [Reported by: Bridges for Peace]
• Israel desperately needs the right man at the helm at this critical time. Pray that God’s will be done. • “For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves.” (Psalm 47:2, 4)
