The Ten Horns (Powers) or Kings of the Revived Roman Empire and the Caesar, Antichrist or Mahdi.

Europe and New Middle East. The challenge for European countries will be to adapt their foreign policy to the new Middle East. In terms of security, their influence will continue to depend on whether member-states can forge a coherent strategy. Europeans should have few illusions: if they don’t reform their approach to the Middle East, their influence in a region of primary importance for them will only shrink. 

05 October 2023 Center For European Reform

Luigi Scazzieri is a senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform

A new Middle East may be emerging as tensions thaw and US influence wanes. Europe needs different policies to deal with a changing region.  

(article excerpt)

… while Europeans worry about US retrenchment and China’s growing influence 

While the regional thaw heartens European policy-makers, another set of developments worries them. The US, which has been the most influential external power in the Middle East since World War II, is losing authority, while China’s influence is growing. There is a widespread perception that the US is paying less attention to the region than it used to, prompted by Washington’s emphasis on addressing China’s rise. This perception has taken hold despite the US seeking to reassure partners that it remains committed to the Middle East. Notably, while the US military presence in the region has shrunk by 85 per cent since 2008, Washington maintains a sizeable footprint, with several military bases and around 30,000 troops. 

However, this is of limited comfort to allies who fear that Washington is not a reliable security partner, a perception exacerbated by the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The US is seen as untrustworthy and erratic, with big policy shifts between administrations. For example, Turkey resents US backing for Kurdish militants in Syria, while the Saudis and UAE are upset by the lack of support from Washington in countering the threats from Iran and its allies. 

This loss of US influence is happening as China is gaining political and economic sway across the Middle East – as shown by Beijing brokering the normalisation agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The expansion of the BRICS grouping to the US’s Middle Eastern partners like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in August this year is another important development. Additionally, many countries in the region, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE are associated with China’s security-focused Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. 

China’s growing influence is largely due to its deep economic interests in the region. Beijing relies on the Middle East for around half of its oil imports, and it is the leading trade partner of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, having taken the top spot from the EU in 2020. Chinese investment in key infrastructure in the region has increased, as shown by the construction of a terminal in the Israeli port of Haifa, or a new capital planned by Egypt. In terms of digital infrastructure, China’s Huawei has been involved in building 5G networks in most Middle Eastern countries. 

China’s influence does not only stem from economics. China’s lack of regard for human rights has made it a natural partner for authoritarian countries and Beijing has tried to boost its soft power in the region, for example by providing Covid vaccines or by opening new Confucius institutes. China is also a significant player in some areas of military co-operation. Beijing has provided Saudi Arabia with missile systems since the late 1980s. More recently, China has agreed to manufacture military drones in Saudi Arabia and has sold drones to the UAE. Beijing is building a military base in the UAE and has held military exercises with a range of traditional US partners in the region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  

Countries in the region want to keep the US involved in regional security but they also want to adapt to America’s perceived retrenchment. US partners like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE are hedging. They think they can have good relations with Washington while also developing ties with China and maintaining their existing ones with Russia. Developments since Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine last year are emblematic of this strategy. US partners in the Middle East have condemned Russia’s invasion but have not signed up to Western sanctions, have maintained co-operation with Russia and have cut oil production despite US urging them to increase it. Additionally, drawing closer to Beijing can be a way for countries to push the US to offer them a better deal, for example by providing security guarantees and more advanced weapons.  

Opportunities and challenges for Europe in a new Middle East 

 
For Europe, the new Middle East heralds both opportunities and challenges. A more stable and prosperous region benefits Europe. Many Europeans may also think that less US involvement in the region could be good if it makes Washington less prone to destabilising military adventures. But US disengagement also poses challenges, as Europeans have often followed Washington’s lead on regional security. The US and Europe have not always been aligned – Trump’s Iran policy stands out as a major recent disagreement. However, when the US has taken a step back, as in the conflict in Syria, Europeans have often been unable to craft a coherent policy. At the same time, while Europeans will benefit if China’s growing involvement reduces the risk of conflict and fuels growth, Beijing’s rising clout will curtail their own influence. 

The challenge for European countries will be to adapt their foreign policy to the new Middle East. Unlike America, Europe cannot afford to distance itself from the region. Europeans are immediately affected by developments in the Middle East, and despite their efforts to accelerate the green transition, they will still need to import fossil fuels from the region for a long time. The end of hydrocarbon imports from Russia means that European countries will be comparatively more dependent on supplies from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Moreover, these countries’ negotiating power could grow as falling demand pushes higher-cost producers out of the market.  

Europe remains a significant actor in the Middle East. The EU is the largest trading partner for Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Turkey, and the second  largest for the GCC countries. While some member-states pay little attention to the region, others are deeply involved – particularly France, Italy, Germany and Spain. In some cases, Europeans are also significant actors in security. Together with the UK, France, Germany and the EU helped broker the nuclear agreement with Iran in 2015 and helped preserve some of its constraints after Trump withdrew from it in 2018. Many member-states contribute to regional security by providing personnel to UN missions in the region or to NATO’s mission in Iraq. And countries like France, Italy and Germany have important bilateral defence partnerships underpinned by arms sales with countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  

The problem is that Europeans don’t have a unified approach to the region, but 27 different ones, sometimes competing with each other and with the EU’s own foreign policy – which itself has been underwhelming. For a long time the Union’s economic offer to the region amounted to offering countries limited access to the European single market in exchange for broadly following EU regulations. This was unappealing, and made partners feel subordinate to the EU. The Union has gradually shifted away from this approach, abandoning the assumption that countries in the Middle East wanted to mirror its norms and regulations. In early 2021 the European Commission announced a New Agenda for the Mediterranean, and in late 2021 the so-called Global Gateway. Both initiatives were supposed to foster new partnerships in energy, digital and infrastructure development, and to rival China’s Belt and Road. But both have been disappointing.

A new European policy for the Middle East  

Europeans need to rethink their approach to the region. In terms of security, their influence will continue to depend on whether member-states can forge a coherent strategy. There are many cases, like the conflicts in Syria or Yemen, in which Europeans can realistically do little but provide aid and support existing peace processes. But there are other issues on which they can be more influential. Their overall aim should be hastening the regional thaw. Their priority, and the biggest contribution they can make to further diminish Iran-Saudi tensions, should be to continue to push for limits on Tehran’s nuclear activities, and to buttress any understanding that the US and Iran reach. Europeans could also take on a larger role in maritime security in the Gulf, to deter Iran from harassing shipping and prevent disruption in energy supplies.  

Another priority should be supporting Turkey’s rapprochement with its neighbours, trying to build a constructive agenda for relations with Ankara and including Turkey in discussions on energy and connectivity, for example by involving it in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum. More broadly, Europe needs to prevent bad situations from worsening by supporting refugees across the region, strengthening fragile states such as Lebanon, and preventing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from worsening. Europeans should try to work flexibly with all regional actors, including China, if interests align or if there is no alternative to involving Beijing – as in the case of trying to limit Iran’s nuclear advances. 

In terms of economic relations, a new focus on building climate- and tech-focused partnerships could help recast Europe’s relations with the Middle East. Countries in the region are hungry for investment and technology to foster growth, undertake the energy transition and diversify their economies – and Europe is well-placed to provide capital and technology in areas such as clean energy production, energy efficiency and digitisation. A new approach focused on building energy and tech partnerships would allow Europeans to secure their own energy needs, increase the production of clean energy, and advance broader climate goals – all while promoting regional co-operation and strengthening stability. Fostering connectivity within and beyond the region should be a major area of focus for Europeans, and a possible way to work together with India through the recently announced India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor. Building closer partnerships does not mean Europe should forget its values and ignore human rights – on the contrary, deeper political and economic relations would reinforce Europe’s influence when it comes to such issues.  

All this will require more funding – which will be challenging at a time when taxpayers will have to finance a range of other priorities, from the energy transition to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Europeans will also have to be nimbler: if they cannot reach consensus at 27, they will have to work in flexible coalitions, partnering with EU institutions and others where possible. Europeans should have few illusions: if they don’t reform their approach to the Middle East, their influence in a region of primary importance for them will only shrink. 

Paul Rolland, Night Watchman, Night Watchman Ministries

Revelation 17:12 (6) And the ten horns which thou (7) sawest are ten kings, which have received (7) no kingdom as yet; but receive power (7) as kings one hour with the beast. (777)

13 (7) These have one mind, and shall give (7) their power and strength unto the beast. (77)

14 (7) These shall make war with the Lamb, (7) and the Lamb shall overcome them: for (7) he is Lord of lords, and King (7) of kings: and they that are with (7) him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (77777)

15 And (7) he saith unto me, The waters which (7) thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are (7) peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (777)

(‘Physical (7) Whore Sitteth – ‘The Great City’ – Physical Babylon’) = Seven (7) ‘Scarlet and Purple Mountains of NEOM BABYLON.

16 And the ten horns (7) which thou sawest upon the beast, these (7) shall hate the whore, and shall make (7) her desolate and naked, and shall eat (7) her flesh, and burn her with fire.

(‘Spiritual (7) Whore Sitteth – ‘MYSTERY RELIGION BABYLON’ – The ‘MOTHER OF HARLOTS’) = The False Prophet’s (5) ‘Spiritual Mystery One World Religion.’

17 For (7) God hath put in their hearts to (7) fulfil his will, and to agree, and (7) give their kingdom unto the beast, until (7) the words of God shall be fulfilled. (7777)

Night Watchman Note; The ‘revived 10 nation EU military coalition of strong (iron) and weak (clay) ‘nation-states’ will be involved in fighting ISLAMIC terrorism around the world, on behalf of the Beast. MbS has PUBLICALLY gone on record, and it is well documented, that he wants to fight Islamic terrorism (for political and rulership reasons). MbS has also PUBLICALLY gone on record stating, quote … “Islamic terrorists give my religion, ISLAM, a ‘bad name.’” This (7) is true, Islam is NOT a religion (7) of peace, but is the exact opposite. Seven (‘7’) is God’s (7) Divine Number denoting His ‘TRUTH OR TRUTHFULNESS.’

Islam / Muslims; (5) ‘Those who worship the evil (7) Dragon [Allah, Satan, God of this World], and (5) SOON the Beast [Antichrist / Mahdi].’

Revelation 13:3-5

3 (7) One of the heads of the beast (7) seemed to have had a fatal wound, (7) but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole (7) world was filled with wonder and followed (7) the beast. People worshiped the dragon because (7) he had given authority to the beast, (7) and they also worshiped the beast and (6) asked, “Who is like the beast? (6) Who can wage war against it?” (6) The beast was given a mouth (7) to utter proud words and blasphemies and (7) to exercise its authority for forty-two months.

(666) (Final 3.5 years (7) of the tribulation, aka the ‘GREAT TRIBULATION.’). (777+777+777) 9X7. Nine (‘9’) is God’s (7) Divine Number denoting His ‘Judgement or Judging’. In this (7) case, He is ‘Judging’ the Prince, Beast, (7) Antichrist for his ‘proud words and blasphemies.’ (777)

Prophetic Discernment; Satan ALWAYS presents a ‘counterfeit’, not only through his Son of Perdition, Man of Lawlessness, the ‘Wicked One’, Prince, Beast, 8th King, Defiler (abomination of desolation), Confirmer (among MENA, the ‘many’), Mahdi, Blasphemer, Perfection of Deception, et.al. ISLAMIC TERRORISTS are a satanic ‘decoy.’ How so? Simple, rightly so, terrorism is in fact … extremely evil. However, Satan’s pretext or lie is that Islamic Terrorism is the world’s ‘greatest evil.’ Virtually all governments (and politicians, world leaders…including authoritarians) would strongly AGREE.

The world’s attention will be focused on eliminating this rising threat in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and perhaps other parts of the world. This draws the world’s attention AWAY FROM THE RISE of the BEAST. The Beast will appear to be ‘honorable’ for defending ISLAM (its ‘reputation’), and for ‘taking a stand’ against terrorism.

The Beast/Antichrist will give the ’10 kings who are not yet kings’ the AUTHORITY (sovereignty) to act on his behalf, with his permission, to enter other countries national or sovereign borders to fight against and destroy Islamic cells embedded everywhere. The 10 nation military coalition of ‘iron and clay’ armies will be allowed to militarily enter any and every country under threat or activity of Islamic Terrorism, in the previously mentioned areas.

NO POLITICAL LEADER will argue against this strategy. How many African, Middle East or Asian countries have the resources or military strength to launch an all-out military assault or campaign against worldwide Islamic Terrorists? NO SINGLE COUNTRY HAS THIS ABILITY. But, the Beast will give the ’10 King EU Military Coalition’ the ability, authority and sovereignty to do just this. This is NOT world war three.

The Bible is clear that they do the Beast’s bidding ‘for an hour.’ An hour is not months or years, like the first or second world wars. An hour is a relatively short period of time. Islamic terrorist cells will be quickly identified, targeted and eradicated. This does not involve nuclear weapons or such, but rather a ‘quick strike, flexible, coordinated (act in ‘unison’)’ military force. This is EXACTLY how the EU is developing its ‘unified military defenses.’ I have documented this extensively over the past seven (7) years. Macron is a ‘ring-leader’ regarding this effort. It is also no coincidence that Macron is BFF’s (Best Friends) with MbS. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to run a ‘google search’ under Macron and MbS and discover how many ‘selfies’ they have taken together. Notice who is the ‘dominant’ friend of the two (Yes, Your Highness!).

Let me bring this in for a landing on the Charles DeGaulle. MbS is (7) the world’s ‘REAL EVIL’ as the current (7) BEAST and coming Antichrist / One World Leader. Islamic terrorists (although very evil) are in fact, a DECOY. They ‘terrorists’ give MbS a reason to form his relationship with and use (for an hour) of the coming EU Military Coalition of 10 strong (iron) mixed with weak (clay) nation-states. This is nothing more than a ‘rent-an-army-for-an-hour.’ Keep (7) in mind the first horseman of the (7) apocalypse rides a ‘white Arabian horse,’ wears (7) a royal crown, has a white robe (7) and has a bow … but NO arrows.

The White Horseman Prince Beast Antichrist Mahdi Rides a White Arabian Stallion.

But how can (7) they call on him (Jesus Christ) to save (7) them unless they believe in Him (Jesus Christ)? (7) And how can they believe in Him (7) (Jesus Christ) if they have never heard about (7) Him (Jesus Christ)? And how can they hear (7) about Him (Jesus Christ) unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14 (777777)

In His Service,

Night Watchman

Paul Rolland

Night Watchman Ministries

Make Your (7) Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs (7) of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

A. (7) Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask (7) God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that (7) Jesus Christ is who He claimed to (7) be; that He was both fully God (7) and fully man and that we are (7) saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. (7) Put your trust in Him as your (7) only hope of salvation. Become a son (7) or daughter of God by receiving Christ. (7777777) 7×7

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess (7) with your heart and with your lips (7) that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).

. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).

. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).

. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).

. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).

. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).

True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:

 Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.https://youtu.be/aoR8ExxZ0K8