Coronavirus and the Militarists: A Reality and a Warning

Recently there was yet another rocket attack on American positions in Iraq, an attack believed to be carried out by Iranian-backed or connected militias. This is part of the ongoing struggle that led up to the Soleimani drone assassination and the events after it.

In the aftermath of the recent attack there were voices in the Pentagon calling on Trump to respond and launch a strike against Iran but apparently he shut down the debate, unwilling to risk a wider conflict during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The warmongers are reported to be both angry and alarmed that Trump is unwilling to stand up to Iran and has 'lost face' as they would see it. Trump for his part has maybe shown a modicum of wisdom in this decision. I won't call it moral. Such a term doesn't apply to Donald Trump but rather his mafia-like cunning has told him to be cautious and avoid striking from a potential point of weakness or in the hour of uncertainty, to open a can of worms.

I guarantee there's another line of discussion taking place in defense circles, a debate necessitated by military calculus. This is how these people think and while there haven't been (to my knowledge) any stories in the media dealing with this, I think there will be at some point. I have no doubt whatsoever that these discussions are taking place.

So what is the debate? It's this.... some will be worried that as China recovers from the pandemic and begins to rebuild its economy, the US will be at its social and economic nadir and given the government response at present the US is likely to be hit much harder by Coronavirus than China was. The US economy risks being brought low, into crisis mode. There is talk of the military being deployed within the US, of the health care system being pushed to the breaking point.

Some will argue that under such a scenario Beijing will make its move. What move? The possibilities are almost endless. Hong Kong, Taiwan, US bases in the South Pacific... some will even believe that Beijing will risk all out war if they think the US is unable to properly respond.

And as a consequence of this thinking... and there is a logic to it, regardless of however twisted it might be.... the answer is for the US to strike first, a move they would couch as pre-emptive.

Again it must be understood this is another 9/11 moment and while this means many things to the public at large, the military thinkers and academics are thinking on a different level... and they're never more dangerous than at a moment like this. As a society we never properly reckoned with the first 9/11 and its implications. The myriad changes became norms and now we're on to the next phase.... I expect these events to be followed by across-the-board legislation, a significant shift in social attitudes and sweeping powers granted in the name of security.

If you're 'on board' with project America then you'll support the changes even though the America that existed thirty years ago and more is rapidly receding... a country and society that is dead and buried.

Those who aren't on board with the new America are going to face a frustrating time... perhaps more daunting than what we faced in 2001-2003. This is a watershed moment, in some ways more impactful than 9/11. Apart from those who were in New York City or Washington on that day, for most of us it was compromised of events we watched on television. There was a real wave of fear that gripped much of the nation in the aftermath and this was of course exploited and amplified by the regime. The subsequent wars confused people and over time people grew frustrated, disillusioned and confused.

These events are different. While less stunning in terms of camera footage, they hit home as everyone is dealing with shortages and stress and increasingly the financial grief associated with the lock-down and quarantines. In the end this period may end up affecting people even more than the dramatic images we witnessed in 2001.

The quest to consolidate American unipolarity has largely failed. 9/11 was meant to cement it but instead the US Establishment fragmented and the project lost steam and eventually lost its way. Competitors have arisen and you can be sure there are those scheming to recapture the American initiative and use these events as a means to reignite the programme. And if that means war, they're happy to wage it. Indeed some (in a manner reminiscent of Curtis LeMay) want it now before China gets too strong. Let's hope and pray that they fail but in the end we're promised wars and rumours of wars and indeed pestilence is also something that is to characterize this present evil age.

Therefore we should expect these things to happen and repent of our complacency and the fact that we take peace and normalcy for granted. This is the Hand of God at work, bringing righteous Judgment on this world. The fact that He so often restrains that Judgment is a mercy, not something deserved. These judgments must come and point to the coming of our Lord. Even so come Lord Jesus.

In the meantime we are called to bear witness, live as pilgrims and take up the cross. God be praised.

We are also called to vigilance. False teachers rise and wax bold during such times and will deceive many. Many will steal, lie and kill thinking they do Christ service. Indeed many are already deceived thinking the Kingdom is built with sword and mammon. They claim to act in the name of Christ but clearly they do not know Him and yet they will deceive multitudes of Christians, many of whom have been lulled to sleep by false doctrines and false hopes of salvation rooted in a faith that is no faith and a grace that is cheap and does not save.