Drop zone delta

By Jim Torres “Towers”

When was the last time you had someone offer an apology for something they did wrong to you or for something they failed to do, instead of blaming it on something or someone else? Now more than ever there is no shame, or apologies or even explanations for a wrongdoing in our culture.

When was the last time you saw someone blush with shame? In times past you could always find someone whose face would get red over a shameful thought or action which was usually followed by an apology. The horror of a life without shame is the inability to feel good and evil.

Nowadays many folks balk at the thought of apologizing for anything and will try to lie their way out of a situation. In politics there is yet another way out, “I stand on the fifth.” This, of course, is said when they can’t think fast enough to keep from blurting out the truth. Some might even go so far as to say, “I misspoke” or “I can’t remember.”

What these people are saying is that they don’t want to divulge the truth and have to pay for their actions. Our highest law officer in the nation lies and refuses to answer questions, or at best skirts the issue when grilled by a senator about alleged wrongdoing of a presidential candidate.

Career politicians have hijacked the United States of America through deceit, lies and sleight of hand.   We have let liars and wrongdoers occupy the highest offices in the nation. Politicians live in gated communities and in a cozy comfort zone with a retirement package and all the perks that go with high office. What a travesty we’ve incurred upon ourselves because of our apathy. We too have gotten all we need and live in relative comfort.

There are at least three new books out in the book stores exposing the Clintons and others in high office.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond. (I wrote this line before Donald Trump’s wife was caught plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s speech.) In any case, truth is subjective today, and words such as virtue, morality, integrity and honesty have all but disappeared from the English lexicon.

We as a nation have been dumbed down by the likes of Freud and others like him who said that all things were relative and that no one was really wrong about anything! The Bible says about such people, “Thinking themselves to be wise, they became utter fools.”

Once when I was drowning in an old gravel pit in Michigan (my legs cramped up after diving too deep into the spring fed ice cold water), I knew beyond a doubt that I was going to die by drowning. My legs were like lead and drawing me down for the third and last time. Just as I was about to expire, I had an instantaneous review of my life play out in my head. The images ran together like a tape on fast forward. I really hadn’t forgotten a thing, and if I had it was all there on tape so there was no denying my life events up until that time! Could it be that we all have this “tape recorder in our brain” to instantly recall all our life events? So don’t be surprised when all of your past deeds flash before your eyes in the hereafter. “Be sure your sins will find you out.”

The sad truth is that it’s even happening in the church. I know from personal experience. The great falling away mentioned in the Bible is taking place with people leaving the church in ever increasing numbers, especially here in the United States. At least some of it is due to the charlatans that appear on television claiming to be servants of the Most High God, deceiving many with their worthless prognostications and promises in exchange for the almighty dollar.

Our nation and churches are in a state of flux, with people groping for answers as to why we are experiencing such lawlessness and twisted morality. Anything goes in today’s society. An extreme example of this is that a head of state is advocating sexual intercourse with children (overt and open pedophilia) even encouraging his culture to embrace such evil acts. This, while a highly educated “professor” is saying it’s alright to commit bestiality. At the same time Christians are being murdered and persecuted around the world. Lawlessness and just plain craziness is rampant. Men are dressing like women and even becoming a part of the ruling class. If these things aren’t a sign that we are living in the last days, I don’t know what is.

In the meantime, another amazing thing is happening in Kentucky. A replica of Noah’s Ark is on display. It’s supposed to be as big as the original. It’s almost as if God is showing us with this physical display that the coming of the Son of Man is nearer than we dare think. The Bible says this is what it will be like, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be, for they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until that fateful day when all were swept away.”

On the other hand, God is not willing that any should perish and is slow to anger. Perhaps he is waiting for you to repent and call out to Him for forgiveness.

Just so you know, a Jewish Rabbi is saying that 2016 is the beginning year of the Messiah, whatever that means.

I am waiting to see the documentary Hillary’s America by Dinesh D’Sousa, which will be coming out next weekend. This film is about her wrongdoings and outright lies. D’Sousa was president of Kings College in New York City, a Christian college. Surprisingly, he also has a DVD coming out entitled Obama 2016. Notice that the year 2016 dominates. Is this the beginning of the end for America?

YBIC

Jim T. “Towers”          jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

By Jim Torres “Towers”

I was going about my business while listening to the car radio. The news came on, and although I’m a news junkie, I wasn’t paying much attention to what was being said, but I did catch the end of the last sentence from the somber newsman. “Young people are dying in unprecedented numbers by drug overdose, suicide and death from despair.”

It seems our whole country has slipped into despair because belief in God is being taken away from us. All vestiges of God are being stripped away and the only time you hear the name Jesus Christ is when it is used as an expletive. Yet it is He through whom the world was made and is sustained. It is He who gives us peace in the midst of trouble. It is He who gives us words to live by. It is He who gives us eternal beings the hope for a wonderful future with Him.

The latest “victim of despair” is Sinead O’Connor, the celebrity singer who recently called home to Ireland to threaten suicide while in Chicago. She has fame and fortune but no peace of mind and is in a state of despair. Celebrities are human, just like the rest of us. They can’t rest until they know God in a personal way. I should know I’ve encountered dozens of them in the movie business.

Since we have all but eliminated God from our lives and culture, is it any wonder so many of us are wallowing in despair? Science doesn’t hold the answer for us having a sense of purpose or even optimism. Knowledge is good but can’t sustain us when dealing with deep spiritual matters. Some have even said, “The more I know, the more desperate I become.” We all want to know the ultimate answers to life and reason for being. The only book that can answer these questions is the Bible. Thank God for Jewish scribes who being lead by the Holy Spirit penned the life-giving words inspired by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The Bible proclaims that the Word of God is Alive! The Holy Spirit through the Holy Scriptures is the revealer of all truth. All men are fallible liars, it’s in their genes. The best that can be said is that through a relationship with Christ some are more enlightened, while others just never get it. They just like playing church and the recognition that comes from doing so.

At the same time, an amazing thing has been happening in the lives of a few dedicated Christians who are gaining more spiritual discernment as time runs out for the human race. Believers with spiritual eyes can see what’s happening in our society and culture; judgment and despair – things that were becoming obvious to me years ago. Even so, most “Christians” still just yawn or roll their eyes when someone talks about the impending judgment facing our nation and the world. Many still fail to understand that repentance toward God is the cure for all that ails us. It’s as simple as that. That, of course, means that we have had a change of heart about how we have been living outside of God’s will.

Surprisingly, even pastors, some of whom should know better, are under the devil’s deception as well. Satan has crept into the church under the guise of political correctness and sympathy for the Devil and his henchmen, ISIS being the most visible. I urge you to be on the alert for his attacks, but don’t fear him. “If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear.” The Holy Spirit fills us with love, power, hope, joy and faith. Any man made philosophy, aside from the written Word of God must be taken with a grain of salt or discredited all together, and it may even prove to be a ploy of the Devil.

Even as I write this I can count on my fingers those I know who have this discernment.

Some in the ACLU are blaming Right Wing Christians for the mass murder that took place in Orlando! They are staring the enemy right in the face and can’t see him; the enemy being Satan. Nearly every culture acknowledges him yet he is still able to get away with murder. At the same time, the people in the United States are being blindsided by this powerful malevolent being by ignoring him and even denying his existence.

Satan is the father of lies, and in our country lying has become commonplace. Selfishness and narcissism are our characteristics. Selfies taken with our Smart phones are a preoccupation. Party goers, drug users, drunks and sports fanatics are distracted by the Evil One from things that really matter. We even go so far as to idolize sports stars, singing stars and movie stars, who are just as sinful and as needy as anyone else. We can appreciate their gifts and achievements but we should never put them on a pedestal.

The Deceiver is out there trying to destroy anyone he can with despair, and we don’t even acknowledge it. When was the last time you heard anything concerning the Devil from the pulpit? It’s as though he doesn’t exist anymore. But I can assure you that this is one of his best strategies. For if we knew it was him causing all the killing, confusion, hatred and war we would cry out to God to deliver us. Although Satan is much more powerful than we, God has him on a leash, as it were, and only He can hold him at bay. Today we have forgotten that Satan exists and try to fight spiritual battles in our own strength. The spiritual war we are in is very real, and Satan will do all he can to destroy mankind before Jesus Christ returns to restore order.

Some of Satan’s titles are: the father of lies, the corruptor, a murderer and a deceiver. The trouble is that secular man has no knowledge of him as revealed in Holy Scripture, and is trying to remedy these troubles by their own means and logic. It just won’t work. Do yourself a favor and arm yourself with the Word of God. It’s the only thing that will put Satan in his place. No incantations, no candles, no icons, no trinkets or beads will dispel his assaults.

By the way, a small “Christian” movie came and went without much notice. The Young Messiah is based on a fictional book by Ann Rice. This movie and book talk about Christ Jesus as a seven year old. Cyrus Nowrastch is the screen writer and director. In an interview I saw with him explaining how hard it was to make, he even broke down and choked back tears at all the setbacks and pain he had endured in making it. It was for the most part only fiction with no redeeming qualities!

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”             jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

I recommend you read Joel Rosenberg’s analysis gleaned from the data of a study done by Dr. Duane Alexander Miller, a professor at St. Mary’s University in Texas, and Patrick Johnstone, the editor of Operation World. Joel Rosenberg Blog

From the blog “Their study, published 2015 in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion (out of Baylor University) examined all the research that has been done on Muslim conversions to Christianity from 1960 to 2010. They carefully analyzed country-by-country data and tried to take special care to weed out double-counting, possible exaggerations, and a range of other issues and variables.”

After reading this I recommend you go here Miraculous Testimonies from an Underground Pastor in the Middle East and watch the interview Joel Richardson has with a pastor (Ali) on the ground and what he is witnessing in the Middle East.

When your done, think about what you just read.

Ask yourself, if Muslims can be shown the Gospel and converted what are you doing in Anytown USA?  We all have family we know are not saved, we all have friends we know are not saved yet we are too timid to share the Gospel to the them.  How weak are we? How small are we making God?  We don’t have a God who is a weakling, who is unable to perform miraculous things, who we should be put into a tiny box in our head.  We have a BIG God who wants us to be bold in our faith.  Many of us place God into a box in our mind, that fits what we want or think he can do, that is wrong.  We are the ones that are small, we need to step outside that box and realize how powerful we can be thru our faith.  The Bible has a multitude of stories about this, but the Book of Daniel comes to mind.

This brings up a secondary issue I see a lot of in some Christian circles,  the FEAR porn being spread around in videos and on some websites.  Its good to know whats going on in the world, that is healthy.  Its also good to know spiritually whats going on, we must be on guard.  What we should not do is fall into the trap of the world is falling and I need to go into my bunker type of mentality.  There world around Daniel was falling, he was taken captive and you know the rest of the story.  He had an attitude we should have, bold in faith.  He knew he had a Big GOD- and everything would be according to plan.  Let’s trust that today also, from politics, to war to disease to persecution.

The verse says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” –  It doesn’t say some things, it says ALL things.  Trust that.

It’s 3:59 in the morning and I wake up only to lie in bed and think of the Peruvian boy I met the day before.

David couldn’t be more than seventeen, a tall gangly kid with thin body and arms. When I arrived at the Home Depot he was standing outside next to a cart loaded down with very heavy bags of concrete waiting for the man who purchased the material to bring his pickup around to load it up. David was wearing the orange Home Depot apron so I recognized him as an employee right away. As he stood with his back next to the pillar in front of the loading area looking forlorn and talking to himself silently, his lips barely moving, I couldn’t help but think he was praying. He looked to be on the verge of tears or a mental breakdown. I would have stopped then and there but his co-worker stepped into the picture and broke the spell he had on me.

I was there for concrete myself and knew that the eighty pound bags were heavy. I was hand pouring a concrete patio at home, a big one. This was my sixth trip to the store for six bags at a time that I mixed and poured in sections.

I went to the restroom and found David there washing his dainty hands and long fingers. I sidled up to the sink next to his and began talking to him. “You look tired kid.”

“I am, I really am,” he replied in a shaky voice.

Just then a blustery middle-aged man barged in and saw me talking to the young man. He exclaimed, “Don’t listen to the old man, he’s full of crap!” to which I replied, “I’ve seen enough crap in my life to be able to help the young man find his way.”

The antagonist never even looked at me and I had never seen him before. Such aplomb, such gall for him to talk to a stranger like that! But I recognized it as a satanic attack. The man quickly left without washing his hands. I returned to our conversation.

In trying to comfort the young man I asked his name as we walked out of the bathroom together. By now he was practically in tears. I grasped his arm lightly and inquired where he was from. He was from Peru and this was his second job. He had already worked at the Dunkin Donuts today and was beat. David lived with his aunt and uncle and rode a bicycle a good distance to work at both places. He was sending money back to his parents and brothers and sisters in Peru and had to maintain two jobs just to stay alive to do so. His aunt and uncle were charging him rent, and from the look of his gangly body he wasn’t getting much to eat.

I ask him if he was a Christian, to which he replied, “I don’t know.” By now he was beginning to tear up. I told him I would be praying for him, but just then I stopped in my tracks and began praying for him right there and then, since I know how hollow such a statement can be. The feeling was that we so often tell people that and promptly forget it before we get home.

When I finished the short prayer David let out a sigh of relief and thanked me as he appeared to be infused with hope. I suspect he felt better just knowing somebody cared.

I once led a young man to Christ right on that same loading dock where I first saw David. Hopefully, I can do the same for David. He needs a friend like Jesus, “a very present help in times of trouble.” I’m going back to see David today and find out more about his situation. I’ve dealt with these sad situations before. If my hunch is right, I may have stumbled onto something sordid and wrong, something I can help to alleviate.

Years ago when hurricane Ivan struck the Pensacola coast I happened to be there. The house had sustained damage to the roof so I went down to the local greyhound bus station hoping to find some help. There were two young men, one from Guatamala and the other from Honduras who had just disembarked from the bus, looking for work. The very first thing they asked me was if I knew of a Baptist church nearby. I told them I was a practicing Christian and attended a Baptist church. They were Baptist Christians as well, and I took that as a “sign”.

I asked if they had eaten and they said they didn’t have a nickel between them. I took then to the Mc Donald’s directly across the street. I bought them the big breakfast and gave them an advance for willing to work for me. From there I took them to the Salvation Army where they could bed down for a few days and eat.

They worked for me for three weeks, which was long enough for them to find a place to stay. As a matter of fact I took them to the beach where we met up with another couple of fellows and the five of them were able to rent a house by pooling their money. In the meantime, I took them to the church I was attending and they fit right in. All this time I discipled them in the best way I knew how, by befriending them and sharing the Word of God with them since they were somewhat new to the faith.

Later on, other people that hired them often took advantage of them in one way or another, and I had to step in as an advocate for these uneducated men more than once. Finally, the work due to the hurricane petered out and everyone went their own way.

This was one of the most memorable periods of my adult life, and I’m sure they think of me once in a while just like I think of each one of them. For me, this is what the Christian life is all about.

By the way,

The rush of “Christian” movies has dwindled to nothing for the moment. In trying to figure out the reason why, I can only assume that either Christianity is on the wane since not as many people as expected have embraced them and conversions are slim or next to none.

Mel Gibson is busy co-writing a sequel to The Passion of the Christ with the man who helped him write it. This movie, the way I understand it, will be about the ascension of Christ and the Acts of the Apostles. Given that it is still in its inception it may take as many as two years to get it done and out in the public domain. As good as it sounds and as high as expectations are for it, it may be too little too late for some of us since we may soon be gone.

One final note: How can it be that an alcoholic Catholic is able to achieve such mastery of a delicate subject matter?

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”         jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

This is a great poem that illustrates so much of what is going on around us.  Everyone has the right answer, and they love to tell you why.  This is common with ‘one verse” theology, where someone will quote one verse of the Bible and build an argument around it.  Never mind what the rest of the Bible says or even the rest of the same chapter!  Take heed friends and don’t be like the bind men below, use the whole council of God!

The Blind Men and The Elephant

 

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl,
“God bless me! but the elephant
Is nothing but a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: “Ho! What have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!”

The Third approached the animal,
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant
Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” quoth he
” ‘Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like a tree.”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant
Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant
Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant
Not one of them has seen!

 
John Godfrey Saxe

By Jim Torres “Towers”

Today, there is apostasy in the church big time. Not only is there apostasy, but outright hypocrisy as well. I hope you’re not involved in any way with that kind of church. We are all going to have to face judgment one day in the not too distant future and surely you want to hear Christ Jesus say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” not – “What were you thinking??”

The emergent church comes to mind when one thinks apostasy. They preach the prosperity message and meet with one world advocates to subjugate the masses. They even believe that Allah and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are one and the same! It’s a good bet that they don’t know what the bible says on that matter and that, at their own peril.

I’ll leave it to God to deal with those charlatans. My concern is with those who don’t know any better. Those who have yet to hear of Gods loving grace in Christ Jesus and not having been exposed to Biblical truths. These poor people grope around blindly for a reason for being, and are unwittingly being led away by cults, new age philosophies, gurus, and self-seeking messiahs.

I’m just about to name the names of some of these charlatans, liars and wolves in sheep’s clothing so that some unsuspecting person won’t fall prey to their schemes and lies. I’ve dealt with my share. It’s heartbreaking to know that a so-called brother or sister is capable of deceit, but hey, maybe they’re only a cultural Christian, or maybe they are just a misguided “religious” person. Most of these people possess no humility, virtue or morality. You can know them by their fruits, which are avarice, deceit, and pomposity; not joy, peace and longsuffering and telling the truth.

Everyone is different and we should thank God for that. We can often come up with different conclusions about what a certain Bible verse means, but there are certain principles and laws that can’t be misinterpreted. (We also know how deceitful that inner voice can be.) Times a wasting and we can’t be pussy footing around anymore, trying to please everyone. Some are going to be offended no matter what you do or say. Just know what you believe. And what you believe should correlate with Holy Scripture not hearsay or false assumptions. If you are going to be an effective Soldier of the Cross you must know the Word of God. “Study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the Word of God.”

I can remember once interfering with a Jehovah’s Witness who was witnessing his brand of faith to an impressionable young man at a bus stop. I approached the two people, addressing the JW I began using these Bible verses to quench the evil being perpetrated on this ignorant and vulnerable young man. Jesus said. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father but by me.” And, “There is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby you must be saved.” The Jehovah’s Witness walked away in a huff not knowing how to respond and continued to talk to the young man, who listened intently. I just can’t for the life of me be politically correct or apathetic. Peoples’ lives are literally at stake!

Speaking of evil doers; television and movies are coming out with a no–holds barred mentality with their all too often trashy entertainment. It’s hard to find a good movie.

Recently, as an actor I was taken out of a movie for not fondling and groping the leading lady in a raunchy multi-million dollar musical. The director was like a possessed or rabid animal, trying to appear to be important for the cast and crew. He demanded that I grope the popular leading lady forcefully. Having talked to the poor vulnerable young woman beforehand I just couldn’t do it.

Because of this movie’s base content and raunchiness it didn’t do well at the box office, and the company lost millions of dollars. After all, who wants to see men prancing around, singing and kissing one another?

By the way;

I recently viewed a movie written and directed by Angelo Pizzo titled My All American, and I can honestly say (I’m not a football fan) that it was an excellent movie, a true family-friendly one with not one curse word and plenty of action. It is the true story of college football great Freddy Steinmark. This film had it all – except the gratuitous sex scene. This writer/ director is a true artist. The lighting, the dialogue, the music and the editing were all exceptional.

I will be trying to get the actor Finn Wittrock who was in the lead, for my movie.

Pizzo also wrote and directed the Hoosiers with Gene Hackman, one of my all time favorite actors.

If you are looking for a good movie, with true family values, I highly recommend My All American by Angelo Pizzo.

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers” jtfilmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.

Until 1967, Israel did not hold an inch of the Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or the Golan Heights. Israel held not an acre of what is now considered disputed territory. And yet we enjoyed no peace. Year after year Israel called for – pleaded for – a negotiated peace with the Arab governments. Their answer was a blank refusal and more war… The reason was not a conflict over territorial claims. The reason was, and remains, the fact that a free Jewish state sits on territory at all. – Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, before a joint session of the US Congress, January 28, 1976

Those who have been paying attention know  that France will convene a summit on 30 May of some 30+ countries and international organizations to discuss how they will move forward the two state solution, with a much broader effort toward the second part of the year.  It is well know that these parameters will be based on the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 as the basis for a two-state solution, at its core.  That initiative is based on the 1967 lines with a shared capital in Jerusalem.

Most on both sides of the issue in the general public have no knowledge of the events at that time. It is important to understand how the 1967 war started, the causes and the mindset of those involved at the time.  From a purely military perspective, to go back to the 1967 lines for Israel would be suicide, even with guarantees of peace by Arab nations.  Yet this is exactly the position the US and the world is moving to, along with promises that they will let nothing happen to Israel.  Ironically this is a similar position the US took with Israel leading up to the 1967 War.

The Americans on numerous occasions rebuffed Israeli diplomatic appeals, instead of using strongly worded #Hashtags like the current administration.  President Johnson publicly condemned the blocking of Tiran (port of Eliat blockade by Egypt) as “illegal”.  In reality it was an act of war and it only emboldened the Arabs in the lead up to the war.

With that lead up below is an excerpt from the fantastic site Six Day War.org.  It will give the reader a much broader understanding of the conflict and why the 1967 lines we hear of so often in the news are absurd.

What was the Six-Day War? Who were the combatants and why did they fight? How did the war affect the region and how did the world react?

Using research and analysis gathered from respected experts in Middle East history, politics and other related fields, this Web site answers those questions; because to understand the literal and metaphorical map of the modern Middle East — the geographic positions held by the region’s armies and the negotiating positions held by its leaders — one must first understand the Six-Day War, and more importantly, its causes and consequences.

The major factor instigating conflict between Israel and its neighbors — whether in 1967, 2000 or any other time — has been the the Arab leadership’s rejection of the legitimate right of Jews to reconstitute their national home in the Middle East, and Israel’s attempt to cope with the security challenges caused by this rejectionism.

As far back as 1929, when Arab rioters attacked Jewish communities in Palestine and massacred their inhabitants, the civil and human rights of Jews had been under violent attack. In 1948 it became an existential issue, with six Arab armies attacking the newly independent Israel in an attempt to wipe the state off the map.

Again in 1967, in the run up to the Six-Day War, Israel’s existence seemed to hang in the balance. As the armies of Egypt, Syria and Jordan openly prepared for battle against Israel, and Arab leaders and the Arab “street” called for its destruction, Israel faced frightful choices. “We had already started thinking in terms of annihilation, both national and personal,” explained Lt. Yossi Peled, a Holocaust survivor who was at the time a lieutenant in the Israel army. Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, realizing the immense military challenge that would be caused by an Arab attack, told his cabinet: “God help us through if they hit us first.” Chief of Staff Yitzkhak Rabin had a nervous breakdown, which for a short time kept him from his duties.

Israel’s hospitals prepared for mass casualties, not only from the advanced conventional weapons supplied by the Soviets to Egypt and Syria and by the West to Jordan, but also from chemical weapons, which Egypt was known to have used during its war in Yemen.

The tensions continued to mount while Israel’s Prime Minister Levy Eshkol insisted, even as more and more Arab troops massed on the borders, that diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis be exhausted before Israel would consider military action.

This was the nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict before the Six-Day War, or in other words, before Israel ever occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Often, in current discussions about the Middle East, Israel’s occupation is mischaracterized as the primary, if not the sole, cause of the conflict rather than an effect of it. Many journalists, unfamiliar with the relevant facts and context, and mistakenly believing that the starting point of Mideast tensions is the “occupation,” may present flawed accounts that suggest the resolution of the tension can be achieved more or less simply by ending Israel’s presence in the territories. This ahistorical description is found all too often in the U.S. media, but even more pervasively in the European setting.

The title of the Article is how Russia defeats NATO, I believe it very well could have said the US.  The armies of any one of the countries of the EU are a shadow of their former selves, even collectively as part of the EU they would be no match for a determined Russia.  Article also speaks to the woeful neglect of our own Armed Forces as well abrogating our responsibilities as defenders of freedom abroad (South China Sea).  We have been bogged down by the side shows in Iraq/Afghanistan for so long, we have failed to really see the changing landscape around us, partly due to politics and partly because leadership in the military has failed to make the case.

When asked two weeks ago in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee whether the Army was “outranged” by any adversary, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley said: “Yes … the ones in Europe, really Russia. We don’t like it, we don’t want it, but yes, technically [we are] outranged, outgunned on the ground.”

Given Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, this is sobering testimony. But is it accurate? Unfortunately, yes: Nearly two years of extensive wargaming and analysis shows that if Russia were to conduct a short-warning attack against the Baltic States, Moscow’s forces could roll to the outskirts of the Estonian capital of Tallinn and the Latvian capital of Riga in 36 to 60 hours. In such a scenario, the United States and its allies would not only be outranged and outgunned, but also outnumbered.

Outnumbered? While the Russian army is a fraction of the size of its Soviet predecessor and is maintained at a level of imperfect readiness, we found that it could — in 10 days or so — generate a force of as many as 27 fully ready battalions (30–50,000 soliders in their maneuver formations, depending on precisely how they were organized) for an attack on the Baltics while maintaining its ongoing coercive campaign against Ukraine.

All these Russian units would be equipped with armored vehicles — tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and so forth. NATO, meanwhile, would be able to respond largely with only light, unarmored, or lightly armored forces. These would consist of the forces of the Baltic republics themselves and those that the United States and its partners could rush to the scene in the few days of warning that would likely be available.

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