In Brief... Military Developments Around the World
Japan looks to change its consitution while Russia makes progress in advancing beyond the United States' space capabilities.
Under the leadership of a new prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, Japan may change its constitution, allowing it to create a standing army. It already has one of the world's largest and most modern armed forces, including one of the largest military-industrial complexes, but its current constitution forbids a standing army and the right to make war. So, will Japan rearm?
Increasingly, the answer appears to be yes.
Russia, thought to be far behind U.S. advancements in space and satellite technology, may have found a way to reenter the space race. On April 4, the Russian Aeronautics and Space Agency (RASA) signed an agreement with the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. that would enable Russia and the European Union to cooperate on space ventures. Their joint venture could seriously compete with the U.S. space program. Not that U.S. industry is left out, for Boeing is a partner with the RASA! "The American space program will be the long-term loser," projects Stratfor.
Source: Stratfor
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: June 2001
Course Content
Darris McNeely
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
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.
