What’s Behind Turkey’s Request to Join BRICS?

What’s Behind Turkey’s Request to Join BRICS?

Earlier this week it was reported that Turkey has officially applied for membership to the BRICS group nations, becoming the first member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to do so (i24 News). According to Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs aide, Turkey has submitted an application “for full membership” and its application will be considered (Associated Press).

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, with Communist China and Russia spearheading the effort. BRICS was formed to counter the global economic influence of the United States and its western allies. “Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank” (Associated Press).

As of January 1, 2024, BRICS added the following members to its bloc: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The combined total population of the BRICS countries equals 3.25 billion while its combined GDP is 25.83 trillion USD (Statista). And when it comes to military strength rankings, the BRICS bloc scores high marks: Russia (2), China (3), India (4), Brazil (12), Iran (14), and Egypt (15) (Global Fire Power.com).

So, why would Turkey, a member of NATO since 1952, want to join the BRICS alliance?

In 1999, Turkey became a candidate to join the European Union (EU). In 2005, Turkey began talks to become a member of the EU but the “negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogan’s administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member” (Associated Press). As a result, Turkey is now looking for an alternative to strengthen its struggling economy, and Erdogan’s administration “sees the economic epicenter of the globe shifting away from the West” (i24 News).

According to Erdogan, “Turkey can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously. . . . Any method other than this will not benefit Turkey, but will harm it” (i24 News).

Erdogan has a history of playing both sides of the global fence so that he may lead Turkey towards his ultimate goal, the resurrection of the Ottoman Empire (TIME). For example, after Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Turkey refused to support the sanctions from the U.S. and its allies against Russia and it never closed its airspace to Russian aircraft (Blessors of Israel). The Biden administration attempted to woo Erdogan back into the fold by approving a $23 billion sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets along with upgrades to 79 current jets in Turkey’s fleet but Erdogan remained committed to standing with Russia (BBC). By the way, Turkey has NATO’s second largest army, one that is ranked 8 globally on the military strength index (Global Fire Power.com).

And when it comes to Israel, Erdogan aligns with the BRICS bloc more than the U.S. and NATO. As I have noted during the Blessors of Israel Podcast and in print, Erdogan is a friend of Hamas and no friend of Israel. Let’s look at some of the comments made by Erdogan since Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 for confirmation.

  • “Hamas is not a terrorist organization, it is a liberation group, mujahideen waging a battle to protect its lands and people.” (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 25, 2023)
  • “Israel, we will proclaim you as a war criminal to the world. . . We are making our preparations, and we will declare Israel to the world as a war criminal.” (Associated Press, October 28, 2023)
  • “Israel is an occupier. . . The main culprit behind the massacre unfolding in Gaza is the West.” (Al Jazeera, October 28, 2023)
  • “Once all of this that is happening is finished, we want to see Gaza as a peaceful region that is a part of an independent Palestinian state, in line with 1967 borders, with territorial integrity, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.” (Reuters, November 4, 2023)
  • “With the savagery of bombing the civilians it forced out of their homes while they are relocating, it is literally employing state terrorism. I am now saying, with my heart at ease, that Israel is a terror state. We will never shy away from voicing the truth about Hamas members protecting their lands, honor, and lives in the face of occupation policies are resistance fighters, just because some people are uncomfortable with it.” (Foundation for Defense of Democracies, November 15, 2023)
  • “Beyond being a war criminal, Netanyahu, who is the butcher of Gaza right now, will be tried as the butcher of Gaza. . .” (Reuters, December 4, 2023)
  • “They used to speak ill of Hitler. What difference do you have from Hitler? They are going to make us miss Hitler. Is what this Netanyahu is doing any less than what Hitler did? It is not. He is richer than Hitler, he gets the support from the West. All sorts of support comes from the United States. And what did they do with all this support? They killed more than 20,000 Gazans.” (Al Jazeera, December 27, 2023)
  • “The world is watching the barbarity of. . . a psychopath, a vampire who feeds on blood called Netanyahu” (JNS, May 29, 2024).

And Erdogan has actively resisted NATO’s attempts to cooperate with Israel. On July 11, 2024, Erdogan said, “Until comprehensive, sustainable peace is established in Palestine, attempts at cooperation with Israel within NATO will not be approved by Turkey” (Ynet News).

Then on August 7, 2024, Reuters reported that Turkey “filed its official request to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel over its conduct in the war in Gaza in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague.”

A week later, Erdogan told visiting Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman, that Turkey will continue to support the “Palestinian cause” and push the international community to increase pressure on Israel (Israel National News).

When you put the pieces of the puzzle together, the picture is clear, Erdogan is more closely aligned with the BRICS bloc (especially China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, and Brazil) than the U.S. and NATO.

These developments are important for us to keep in mind as we pray for Israel because Turkey will eventually join forces with Russia and Iran to attack Israel in a significant event that will precede the Great Tribulation.

As I have shared before, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation according to Ezekiel 38-39. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, and “Beth-togarmah,” modern-day Turkey will be part of that alliance (Ezek. 38:5-6). They will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:8) after they “devise an evil plan” against Israel. The Scripture reveals that Israel will be attacked by an overwhelming force that will “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

In the midst of this great opposition, God will come to Israel’s rescue and pour out His “blazing wrath” upon her foes in order to deliver Israel from certain destruction through a series of cataclysmic judgments (Ezek. 38:18-23). First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.” Second, the invading armies will turn on each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.” Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.” Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

These developments between the Turkey, Russia, and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel and her people.

Dr. Matthew Dodd, Executive Director

September 6, 2024

China Pushes for a Palestinian State

Communist Chinese President, Xi Jinping, is aggressively seeking to control all matters concerning the Middle East including Israel and a future Palestinian State. On Thursday, at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) in Beijing, Xi spoke to influential leaders from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain in an effort to spread China’s economic and political influence in the Middle East. In addition to promoting China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which is “China’s global plan to offer predatory loans to poor countries, to be used to pay Chinese companies to build ports, roads, and railways that they could otherwise not afford” (Breitbart), Xi once again weighed in on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, demanding the establishment of a Palestinian State. It is important to note that since October 7, 2023, when Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Jews, barbarically raped women and young girls, beheaded and burned to death infants, and took hostage 250 people hostage, China has refused to condemn the heinous acts of Hamas. In fact, China has become more steadfast in its support for the terrorist regime and more vocal in its rhetoric against Israel.

Xi declared that “War should not continue indefinitely. Justice should not be absent forever. Commitment to the two-State solution should not be wavered at will. China firmly supports the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. It supports Palestine’s full membership in the U.N., and supports more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China).

Xi also pledged China’s financial support to reduce the burden of the current conflict.

“On top of the previous RMB100 million yuan [$14 million] of emergency humanitarian assistance, China will provide an additional RMB500 million yuan [about $69 billion] of assistance to help ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support post-conflict reconstruction. . . We will donate U.S.$3 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency [UNRWA] for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in support of its emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza” (Breitbart).

Xi and his CASCF participants then signed a joint statement against Israel.

Blessors of Israel has noted that Communist China has been “pulling the puppet strings and asserting its agenda in the Middle East” for quite some time. By way of reminder, in April of 2023, China brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two countries that had not had diplomatic relations since 2016.

Later that month, China inserted itself into the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, offering to facilitate peace talks.

In June of 2023, China invited a delegation from Iran and Pakistan for joint counterterrorism talks. Delegates were optimistic that new initiatives would likely lead to increased peace and stability in the wider Middle East region as well as within the borders of their respective countries.

Then, two weeks after Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Communist Chinese’s President Xi Jinping, called for a cease fire and the establishment of a two-state solution when he said, “The top priority now is a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control or causing a serious humanitarian crisis” (CNN).

China has repeatedly voted against Israel at the United Nations because it objects to Israel taking steps to ensure that Hamas will never be able to attack its citizens again.

Please keep in mind that China has one goal, global domination by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. In light of China’s professed agenda, its influence in the Middle East is of serious concern.

China does not have allies, only puppets that it manipulates to achieve its objective. Therefore, this realignment of nations under China’s leadership will not serve to promote peace in the Middle East. Rather, it will promote China’s agenda at the expense of the nations of the Middle East, especially Israel. China is no friend of Israel.

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | May 30, 2024

China and Russia Support Iran’s Attack on Israel. . . What’s Next?

On Saturday, April 13, Iran launched its first-ever direct attack against Israel with approximately 185 drones, 110 surface-to-surface missiles, and 36 cruise missiles launched at Israel (The Times of Israel). Iran said that Saturday’s attack was in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike in Damascus on a building located near the Iranian consulate which left seven officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps dead, including commander Mohammed Reza Zahedi. It is being reported that Zahedi was involved in the planning of the Hamas terrorist strike on Israel last October 7. To date, Israel has not taken responsibility for the April 1 attack.

While the sheer volume of military hardware launched by Iran at Israel last Saturday was overwhelming, it also revealed the inferiority of Iran’s military technology and the superiority of Israel’s defense systems which were enhanced by support from the United States, Great Britain, and France. “None of Iran’s 185 Shahed 238 drones launched against Israel reached the country, nor did any of the 36 cruise missiles fired in Tehran’s historic attack. . . Only a small number of Iran’s 110 Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles struck the country, and an even smaller number exploded” (Ynet News).

Yet, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi was quick to dismiss the facts about Iran’s military shortcomings during his speech yesterday at a military parade marking Iran’s Army Day. Raisi declared that Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Israel “toppled Israel, proving that it is weak as a spiderweb. . . This operation was precise and calculated, and it announced to the entire world and to the alleged armed superpowers, to America and to the supporters of the Zionist regime, that Iran is in the arena, and that our armed forces are prepared and waiting for the command of the Supreme Commander. Operation ‘Honest Promise’ was limited in scope. Had it been broader, they would have seen that nothing would have remained of the Zionist regime” (MEMRI).

In an effort to control the narrative and voice their support for the newest member to their BRICS alliance, Communist China and Russia have heaped praise upon Iran for their attack of Israel. On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with Iran’s Foreign Minister and accepted Iran’s justification for the attack. In fact, he described Iran as “good-neighborly and friendly” (Breitbart). And Wang Yi’s spokesman also noted that the absence of a Palestinian state is “the most persisting injustice in [the] modern-day world” (Breitbart).

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, also praised Iran’s failed strike against Israel. According to the propaganda arm of the Iranian government, PressTV, Putin described the attack as “tactful and wise,” noting, “What the Islamic Republic of Iran did in response to what happened criminally and in the light of the inaction of the [UN] Security Council, was the best way to punish the aggressor and represented the tactfulness and rationality of Iran’s politicians” (Breitbart).

Fearful of Israeli retaliation, earlier today, Iran threatened “to advance its nuclear weapons program and to attack American targets in the Middle East if Israel strikes its nuclear facilities” (Israel National News). It is also reported that “the Iranians warned the US and European countries not to tighten the sanctions against them, because this would lead to taking steps in the nuclear field such as raising their level of uranium enrichment” (Israel National News).

Not fearing Iran’s threats, today, the White House announced that it is “holding Iran accountable – imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran” (WhiteHouse.gov). The press release concluded by stating, “Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks: The United States is committed to Israel’s security. We are committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region. And we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.”

According to Axios, “Israel considered conducting a retaliatory strike against Iran on Monday night but eventually decided to postpone it.” Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told “two foreign ministers that Israel will respond to the Iranian attack but will do it in a ‘thoughtful and calculated way.’”

It is important to note that we are witnessing the drawing of clear battle lines. In fact, we are witnessing the alignment of nations against Israel in preparation for what was prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 38-39, the Battle of Gog and Magog.

As I have shared in articles, podcasts, and during prophecy updates with Pastor Rich Jones, Russia and Iran will play significant roles in the events leading up to the Great Tribulation. It is also clear that Russia and Iran feel empowered to move against Israel and her Western allies because of the support they receive from Communist China.

During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, and Turkey will be part of an alliance that will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:5, 8). These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

In the midst of this great opposition, God will come to Israel’s rescue and pour out His “blazing wrath” upon her foes in order to deliver Israel from certain destruction through a series of four cataclysmic judgments (Ezek. 38:18-23).

First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.”

Second, the invading armies will turn against each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.”

Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.”

Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16).

This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

So, the developments between Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Please also note, the destruction of Russia, Iran, and Turkey at the end of the Battle of Gog and Magog will create a geopolitical void which will be filled by a revived Roman Empire, whose leader will be the Antichrist (Daniel 7:7-8, 20-27).

Blessors of Israel is closely monitoring the developments between Israel and Iran. Please join me in praying for Israel and her people during these difficult days.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | April 18, 2024

Who the World Needs Now

We are living in troubled times. Saying so is not an exaggeration. You know it. I know it. And daily we are reminded of it when we read the headlines, listen to the politicians, or watch the pundits on the major news networks.

Since October 7 of last year, it seems like the lid to Pandora’s box has been removed and permanently lost because the headlines have been riddled with alarming stories.

Whether it’s the U.S. threatening to take action against Iran because Iran is not fully transparent about the status of its nuclear program (Reuters) or it’s the Houthis promising to stage more attacks in the Red Sea during Ramadan (Breitbart), these are troubling times.

To make matters worse, Iran, China, Russia are set to conduct joint naval drills. The exercise “seeks to showcase the collective capabilities of Russia, Iran, and China in promoting global peace and maritime security” (i24 News).  

And then there are issues beyond the borders of Israel and the Middle East which are equally disturbing. According to Bloomberg, India is adding 10,000 troops to its border with China. Breitbart reports that Iran is arming Venezuela with weapons that can reach Miami, Florida. The Associated Press notes that “U.S.-Chinese relations are at their lowest level in decade.” While MSN reports that “The number of Russian spies has hit Cold War levels.”

Here’s the thing, the issue isn’t geopolitical. The problem runs much deeper because the problem is personal, it’s a problem that affects each of us personally.

In April of 1965, Jackie DeShannon recorded a song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach called, “What the World Needs Now is Love.”

What’s interesting is that many other performers also recorded the same song soon thereafter. Why? Because the song struck a chord in the hearts of many who thought love could heal the wounds of a country that was devastated by a war in Vietnam, racial discrimination, and the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963.

The problem is that not much has changed almost 59 years later. Why? Did love fail?

The truth is man’s love does fail and will always fail because the world because the world is asking the wrong question. The correct question is not “What does the world need now?” but “Who does the world need now?”

Who the world needs now is Jesus Christ.

Now, you might be wondering, “Why Jesus?” That’s an excellent question. Why Jesus?

A few years ago, I was studying the Bible and started to reflect on “Who” Jesus is and “How” He has been revealed in the Bible. I began to write down from memory every title, name, and description that referred to Jesus in the Bible. I’d like to share with you what I wrote. . .

Jesus is the Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Word of God, Son of Man, Second Adam, Seed of Woman who crushes the serpent’s head, the Angel of the Lord, Seed of Abraham, Jacob’s Ladder, the Lion of Judah, the Root of Jesse, the Son of David, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prophet, High Priest from the order of Melchizedek, Passover Lamb, our Christ/Messiah (Anointed One), Savior, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Giver of Living Water, the Rock of our Salvation, our Healer, Redeemer, Sanctifier, Intercessor, Advocate, Mediator, Mystery, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Narrow Path, Firstborn of all creation, Firstborn from the dead, the Bridegroom, Head of the Body – the Church, the Radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, the Author and Perfecter of faith, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, King of kings, Lord of lords. All things have been created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and there will come a day when the trumpet will sound and the Lord will descend and all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow before Him for God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above all names, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Again, our world does not need more of man’s feeble attempts to show “love,” our world needs God’s love through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is Who the world needs now.

You see, the personal problem that each of us has is this, we are sinners. In fact, all of us are sinners. . . whether we like this fact or not. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The word “sin” means that we have missed the mark or standard of God’s holiness. All of us have fallen short in our thoughts, words, and actions. No one is perfect.

The Bible tells us that the consequence for our sin is death; separation from God. Romans 6:23 states, “The wages of sin is death.” This means that all of us deserve to die and be eternally separated from God because we have sinned against Him and have fallen short of His perfect standard. The one thing we must remember is that God never sends anyone to hell. We send ourselves there by rejecting the truth of the Bible.

Now, let’s look at the truth about God and what He did so that we can know Him and have a relationship with Him.

The Bible says Jesus Christ took the penalty that we deserved because of our sin and placed it upon Himself and died in our place. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Three days later Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead to prove that He had conquered sin and death and that His claims to be the Son of God were true.

Now, we can be saved from an eternity in hell by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace [undeserved favor] you have been saved [delivered from sin’s penalty] through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one should boast.” The word “faith” means trust. A person must trust or depend on Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and for the gift of eternal life. Feeding the poor or going to church won’t get you to heaven. While these things are good, such things will never save anyone. You must trust in Jesus Christ alone and God will forgive you and give you eternal life as a free gift!

Would you ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior? If so, why not pray right now and tell God you are trusting in His Son for salvation? Remember, it’s not a prayer that saves you; prayer is merely telling God what you are intending to do. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that saves you.

Please pray. . .

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves punishment. I believe Jesus Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and the gift of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you just prayed, then I am so blessed that you have made this important decision to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. John 5:24 tells us, “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Jesus came to change the world one person at a time and He is committed to transforming your life now and forevermore. Jesus is Who the world needs now.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | March 13, 2024

Who is Pulling the Puppet Strings in the Middle East?

Over the course of the last twelve months, a veil has been lifted in the Middle East and what is coming into focus is cause for great concern, for Israel, the United States, and the rest of the world.

It is clear that Communist China is pulling the puppet strings and asserting its agenda in the Middle East.

Let’s take a brief trip down memory lane to confirm it’s true.

In April of 2023, China brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two countries that had not had diplomatic relations since 2016.

Later that month, China inserted itself into the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, offering to facilitate peace talks.

In June of 2023, China invited a delegation from Iran and Pakistan for joint counterterrorism talks. Delegates were optimistic that new initiatives would likely lead to increased peace and stability in the wider Middle East region as well as within the borders of their respective countries.

Then, two weeks after Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Communist Chinese’s President Xi Jinping, called for a cease fire and the establishment of a two-state solution when he said, “The top priority now is a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control or causing a serious humanitarian crisis” (CNN).

Please note that President Xi did not condemn Hamas for its unprovoked, barbaric attack against Israel. In fact, China has refused to condemn Hamas for its October 7th slaughter of innocent Israeli citizens.

That said, China has repeatedly voted against Israel at the United Nations because it objects to Israel taking steps to ensure that Hamas will never be able to attack its citizens again.

Recently, there have been additional signs which confirm China’s role as the master Middle Eastern puppeteer.

On January 19, 2024, Breitbart reported that “A senior official from the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist army of Yemen told Russian media. . . that Russian and Chinese ships can pass safely through the Red Sea without fear of attack.”

Yet, the greatest confirmation of China’s control over the affairs of the Middle East occurred five days later when it was actually reported that the “Biden administration. . . asked top Chinese officials to pressure Iran to make its Houthi proxy terrorists in Yemen halt their attacks on the Red Sea shipping” (Breitbart).

The, on January 25, 2024, Reuters reported that “Chinese officials. . . asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis, or risk harming business relations with Beijing.”

Reuters also reported that “Beijing made it clear it would be very disappointed with Tehran if any vessels linked to China were hit, or the country’s interests were affected in any way.”

Please notice that there wasn’t any mention of halting attacks on ships from the U.S. or western Europe.

Iran felt the pull from China’s puppet strings because Iran needs China and China knows it.

Earlier this week, it was reported that “China’s investments in Iran rose from $300 million to $3 billion within the last year. . . The prodigious increase in the amount of Chinese money circulating in Iran, the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, is occurring as Beijing seeks a greater political role in the Middle East through both economic influences and alliances with anti-Israel and anti-American governments” (Breitbart).

China has one goal, global domination by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. In light of China’s professed agenda, its influence in the Middle East is of serious concern.

China does not have allies, only puppets that it manipulates to achieve its objective. Therefore, this realignment of nations under China’s leadership will not serve to promote peace in the Middle East. Rather, it will promote China’s agenda at the expense of the nations of the Middle East, especially Israel. China is no friend of Israel.

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel and for the leaders of the United States.

By Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 9, 2024

“We have not seen this level of Chinese intelligence and influence activity in and around the U.S. homeland ever.” Those are the words of an anonymous FBI official in a recent report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and cited by Robert Williams in his article, “China’s Influence Activity in the US Is Unprecedented.”

The report warns that China is working on multiple levels and using sophisticated espionage activities “to expand the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and weaken the United States and its partners.” China is “a grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States” according to the FBI, and confronting this threat is “the FBI’s top counterintelligence priority.” 

Williams notes that for more than two and a half decades, China has stolen U.S. intellectual property, trade secrets and technology, causing the U.S. a cumulative loss that has been estimated to be at least $600 billion. As a consequence, China now leads in 37 out of 44 crucial technologies in the technology race with the United States. A 2022 U.S. Senate report states China has sought to “supplant the U.S. as the global economic leader and end the U.S. dollar’s status as the world’s primary reserve currency.”

The Center for Strategic and International Studies report also sheds light on the CCP’s strategy against the U.S., stating, “[A] close analysis of Chinese activity indicates that Beijing has conducted a broad political warfare campaign against the United States and its partners across the globe. To conduct these actions, Beijing invests substantial resources in understanding the United States, including in translating documents and exploring the contours of U.S. culture and politics. The China International Communications Group, which is owned and operated by the CCP’s Central Propaganda Department, distributes the CCP line on numerous issues to overseas audiences, directs research on foreign media, and conducts language training programs.”

Surprisingly, in February of 2022, the U.S. Justice Department ended a program known as the “China Initiative” enacted in 2018 under the Trump Administration to protect U.S. national security against Chinese spying on U.S. intellectual property and in academia. According to Fox News, the DOJ’s website said the initiative aimed at “identifying and prosecuting those engaged in trade secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage,” as well as “protecting our critical infrastructure against external threats through foreign direct investment and supply chain compromises.” 

The Biden Administration claims they ended the program because it “unfairly painted Chinese Americans and U.S. residents of Chinese origin as disloyal.” But Williams correctly cautions that “while the Biden administration worries about political correctness, the Chinese Communist Party is successfully using every means at its disposal to weaken the U.S. in all fields.”

Ironically, today it was reported that the U.S. is warning Israel about its ties to China. In an article titled, “A word of caution: China-Israel ties and Beijing’s Middle East role,” the Jerusalem Post reports, “The US has expressed concerns about any China mega-business deals in Israel that might touch on strategic infrastructure, such as the Haifa Port.” While Washington does not want Israel to “decouple from China,” it wants Israel “to secure things that might be important” such as “Israel’s hi-tech sector” or its intellectual advancements in “artificial intelligence.”

Why would the Biden Administration caution Israel about its relationship with the CCP but throw caution to the wind when it comes to its own domestic policies towards China?


The Blessors’ Bottom Line

The U.S. would be wise to heed its warning to Israel. Through unrestricted warfare, China seeks to weaken and ultimately dominate the U.S. and its allies without ever firing a shot. To achieve its goal of global domination by 2049, China has forged alliances with nations like Russia and Iran (an avowed enemy of the U.S. and Israel). Yet through these alliances, it appears China might be setting the stage for the prophetic events recorded in Ezekiel 38-39, in what has been called “The Battle of Gog and Magog.”

According to Ezekiel 38-39, Russia (Rosh) will lead a coalition of nations and attack Israel prior to the Great Tribulation, Iran (Persia) will be part of that alliance. These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10). But God will pour out His “blazing wrath” upon Israel’s foes and deliver her from certain destruction through a series of four cataclysmic judgments (Ezek. 38:18-23). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied these events 2,600 years ago because God knows the beginning and the end. Through the events of the latter days, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the nations so that all will know He is the Lord of all (Ezek. 38:23).

By Dr. Matthew Dodd and Geoff Hetrick

Earlier this month, The Media Line reported that China welcomed delegations from Iran and Pakistan to Beijing for joint counterterrorism talks. The talks are expected to yield positive results in the fight against extremism, according to experts aligned with China, Pakistan, and Iran. They say the new initiative will likely lead to increased peace and stability in the wider Middle East region as well as within the borders of the involved countries.

Other security experts in the region believe the meeting represents China’s ambition to replace the US as the main player in the Middle East and beyond. In April, China brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two countries that had not had diplomatic relations since 2016. That same month, China also inserted itself into the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang offering to facilitate peace talks.

Azeem Khalid, an expert on China-Pakistan relations and professor of international relations at COMSATS University Islamabad, noted that China’s role in these talks, as well as in the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, consolidates China’s power in the region and positions the country as “a credible alternative to the United States in effectively managing regional affairs.” Khalid notes, “This paradigm shift has profound systemic implications, as China appears to be gradually assuming the role of the region’s primary power broker.”

Adrian Calamel, Middle East and global security expert agrees. He believes China is seeking to undermine the US by increasing its role in the Middle East. According to Calamel, “The notion of China acting as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestine conflict is ridiculous. . . . China has been effectively challenging American primacy without drawing into open hostilities. . . . When there is an economic, political, and diplomatic vacuum, China will try to fill it.”

Amer Al Sabaileh, a Jordanian strategic analyst and a nonresident fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, also views China’s moves in the Middle East as part of an overall strategy to promote China’s interests. Al Sabaileh said, “China managed to build good and steady relations with various countries in the Middle East by offering cooperation and investment. . . . The role of China in the Middle East cannot be compared to the US, but definitely it represents for many a new chance and a new vital partner.”

The Blessors’ Bottom Line

The United States must reengage with the nations of the Middle East and recapture the ground it has recently forfeited.

China has one goal, global domination by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. In light of China’s professed agenda, its influence in the Middle East is of serious concern. China does not have allies, only pawns that it manipulates to achieve its objective. Therefore, a realignment of nations under China’s leadership will not serve to promote peace in the Middle East. Rather, it will promote China’s agenda at the expense of the nations of the Middle East, especially Israel. China is no friend of Israel.

Dr. Matthew Dodd and Geoff Hetrick
June 22, 2023