NewsWatch

NATO Engages with Russia

Tensions related to the war in Ukraine rose in Europe after Russian military drones encroaching on Polish airspace were shot down by Polish and Dutch fighter jets (AP, September 10, 2025). Article 5 of the NATO agreement is “NATO’s collective security guarantee, with allies pledging that an attack on one member of the alliance constitutes an attack on all.” While both Poland and the Netherlands are members of NATO, in this instance the nations of the alliance agree for the moment that the intrusion is not seen as an attack on the alliance as a whole, and Article 5 has not been triggered.

Russia continues to “test the fences” with European nations, and NATO nations continue to build up defenses on their eastern fronts. Germany is revising its spending and debt rules so it can direct more funds into its military efforts (Washington Post, September 7, 2025). Germany’s Minister of Agriculture is also calling for a national stockpile of ready-to-eat meals and foods. And “the German government has pledged to make the country kriegstüchtig—fit for war—by 2029, the year officials believe Russia could be ready to strike a NATO member.” Finland, another NATO member, is preparing for the worst as its leaders anticipate a massing of Russian troops on their border once the war in Ukraine ends (The Guardian, May 21, 2025). Satellite photos show that Russia is already improving fortifications and bases along the Finnish border, even as the war in Ukraine continues.

As events continue to heat up, we are reminded of the need to watch Europe and the Middle East! Both locations are biblically prophetic hot spots and will play major roles in end-time, world-changing events.

The “28th Regime”: A Tool to Unite Europe?

The European Union was built on grand ambitions—peace, prosperity, and unity. Yet beneath the surface of its single market lies a maze of 27 national systems: 27 tax codes, 27 sets of consumer laws, and 27 bureaucracies. Businesses hoping to sell across borders must navigate this tangled web at great cost. To fix this, EU leaders are thinking about a new idea called the “28th regime” (Euractiv, October 16, 2025). This is a set of optional rules that businesses could choose to follow instead of each country’s laws. If it works, a company could hire workers in different countries using one contract or sell eco-friendly products without having to meet 27 different standards.

Some think this is smart and helpful, while others worry that it could be unfair. Big companies might use the new system to avoid rules that protect workers. That could create a “two-speed Europe” where some people benefit while others are left behind. There is also a question of who would enforce these new rules. Past EU regulations like GDPR, which protects online privacy, have not always been followed the same way in every country.

The Bible gives us a bigger picture. In Daniel 2, a statue is seen in a vision, having feet of iron and clay that symbolize an end-time kingdom that is strong but divided—just as you see in a mixture of iron and clay. The EU seems similar—trying to unite but remaining very divided. Revelation 17 points to the rise of ten “kings” or leaders who will give their power to one ruler. Could the EU be moving toward that event? The lesson is clear: Man-made plans for unity do not last without God. As Europe builds new systems, we should stay alert and remember Jesus’ words: “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

Territorial Concessions: Europe Tries Again

When United States President Donald Trump signaled willingness to recognize all Russian-held Ukrainian territories in exchange for Ukraine’s neutrality (Politico, August 11, 2025), it called to mind for many the 1938 Munich Agreement, in which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain pressured Czechoslovakia to surrender the Sudetenland to Adolf Hitler in hopes of securing “peace for our time” (Holocaust Encyclopedia).

Each of these negotiations excluded the nation most affected: Ukraine was absent from recent United States-Russia summits in both Alaska and Riyadh, and Czechoslovakia’s government received no invitation to Munich, undermining any sense that the result was a truly fair settlement. Prime Minister Chamberlain returned home holding aloft a signed agreement with Hitler, confident he had staved off war. Of course, World War II showed that such confidence was an illusion, and President Trump’s earlier boasts that he could end the war in Ukraine within one day as President proved to be just as illusory.

History warns that these sorts of grand promises have often emboldened aggressors rather than restraining them. The West’s appeasement of Hitler’s aggression in 1938 paved the way for full occupation, and many fear Mr. Putin’s expansionist rhetoric indicates that these recent summits represent a similar miscalculation. As this war on the very doorstep of Europe surpasses 1,200 days, the potential for dramatic impact on the strategic arrangement of world powers and alliances continues to loom large. The days leading up to Jesus’ return will see a radical upending of the status quo, including the rise of Europe and the utter decline of American power.

Formation of an “Arab NATO”?

Israel’s recent attack on Hamas officials in Qatar has prompted a united Arab response (RTE, September 10, 2025). The Arab nations often possess competing agendas, but this attack and Israel’s subsequent threat to strike Hamas “anywhere” may be prompting increased coordination. Arab nations recently considered the idea of an “Arab NATO” that could form a rapid-reaction force able to “shield member states from external threats, particularly Israel” (Middle East Eye, September 20, 2025).

In September 2025, Arab nations held a summit in Doha, Qatar, to discuss Israel’s recent action and the possibilities of a united Arab response. At the summit, Egypt presented a proposal for a “NATO-style” Arab defense force. Egypt’s proposal was blocked by the UAE and Qatar, and representatives from Egypt and Saudi Arabia disagreed on which nation should lead such an organization, with each seeing their own nation as best suited for the top job. In further discussions, the Gulf states decided to exclude Turkey and Iran from a future combined Arab defense organization. The outcome of this summit, much to the frustration of Egypt, was a relatively toothless statement condemning Israel’s actions and declaring support for Gaza. Just days later, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense treaty with nuclear-armed Pakistan.

Will the recent summit be the last we hear of an Arab NATO or something very similar? According to Bible prophecy, a confederacy of Arab nations will form in opposition to Israel and the other Israelite nations at the end of the age (Psalm 83:2–8). Eventually, many of these same nations will even fight against the German-led European “beast” power (Daniel 11:40–44). And the actions of this alliance of Arab nations will be both defensive and offensive. The Bible calls this united Arab force that will ultimately emerge the “king of the South.” Major changes are underway in the Middle East and North Africa.

Is A.I. a Teen’s New Best Friend?

According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, more than half of today’s teenagers regularly communicate with generative artificial intelligence companions, fueled by the appeal of constant companionship and even mental-health support. Yet experts caution that these digital confidants can foster unhealthy dependency, deepen loneliness, and offer unpredictable or harmful responses. A.I. can take on many human-like traits, but it remains completely lacking in the emotional depth, wisdom, and experiential knowledge that many are seeking.

The Bible speaks directly to the irreplaceable value of authentic human connection. King Solomon wrote, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). This reminds us that our character grows when we engage in genuine give-and-take with our fellow human beings. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 points out that “two are better than one… for if they fall, one will lift up his companion,” illustrating how shared burdens and victories cement bonds of trust. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges those who devote themselves to following Christ not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” While A.I. can simulate empathy, it cannot bear burdens or offer true emotional support.

Leaning on digital “friends” risks stunting the relationships God designed to refine, preserve, and improve us. Parents and leaders must guide young people to exercise discernment in their tech habits, always directing deeper emotional and spiritual needs toward trusted human friends and advisors—and especially to God. When we share our own struggles and doubts and invite others into real conversations, we discover the profound value human interaction possesses that digital convenience never will. Technology can serve as a tool, but it must never replace authentic, living relationships.