World News and Trends: Conflict sharpens over European Middle East role
In the first half of this century European involvement figured heavily in the Middle East during both world wars and their aftermath.
In the first half of this century European involvement figured heavily in the Middle East during both world wars and their aftermath. Arab oil and the formation of the state of Israel in 1948 assured a continuation of that interest right up to the present.
Recent setbacks in the Middle East peace process have brought about a sharp renewal of interest on the part of France, Russia and the European Union. President Jacques Chirac in particular has evinced a growing enthusiasm for an increased French role in the diplomatic process with recent state visits to Syria and Israel.
Whatever their individual motives, at least two or three European powers apparently believe that a diplomatic vacuum has been created by the perceived peace failures ostensibly brought about by the intransigence of a new right- wing Israeli government. This has caught America's eye, and, in spite of Irish foreign minister Dick Spring's assurances that the United States "must not believe Europe is trying to muscle in," the Clinton administration plainly does not want European diplomatic help at this time.
Reports Robert Fisk from Damascus: "In a letter which has both angered and astonished the European Union, Warren Christopher, the United States secretary of state, has warned all 15 EU foreign ministers not to meddle in the U.S.-led Middle East peace process." Secretary Christopher referred to the present as a "delicate moment" in the process. This only adds to the foreign-policy differences America already has with the EU over Cuba.
However, the Middle East is destined to continue to play a major role in European and world affairs. The 11th chapter of Daniel foretells a great confrontation in the Middle East at the "time of the end" involving a major power in Europe, referred to as the "king of the North." Daniel 12 indicates that frightful world tensions will be followed by the second coming of Jesus Christ. One Bible translation refers to this panorama of events as "the crisis at the close" (Daniel 12:9, Moffatt Translation). (Source: The Independent; Reuter.)
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: January - February 1997
Course Content
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
