ISRAEL TESTS A MISSILE

Israel conducted a successful test of its Arrow missile defense system in December 2005. On Tuesday September 3 2013 Israel tested another missile. Russia's official Itar-Tass news agency reported that Moscow had detected the launch of two ballistic “objects” in the Mediterranean area.

Israel test-fired a U.S.-backed missile over the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday in an unannounced move that added to jitters in the region amid possible strikes on Syria.

An Israeli warplane fired a “Sparrow” missile that was successfully detected and shot down by an interceptor shortly after 9.15 a.m. local time (3.15 a.m. ET), according to statements issued by Israel and the United States. Pentagon press secretary George Little issued a written statement confirming the move calling it a "U.S.-Israel Missile Defense test."

Commenting on the missile test, Moshe Yaalon, the defense minister of Israel, said on Army Radio that the preparedness by the Israel Defense Forces over the past week was “founded on many technological capabilities, which need to be tested by the defense establishment and the army, and indeed a successful test was held.” He also said: “Our systems need to be examined and we will continue to develop, share and provide the IDF with the best systems in the world.”

Mr. Yaalon added that Israel had not been involved in the American policy process regarding Syria and noted that given the postponement of any possible military strike, the army had released some of the reservists called up last week.

Syrian state media said there had been no missile detected by Syrian forces. Syrian supporters of the uprising briefly shared a flurry of excited messages on Twitter, viewing it as a sign of preparations for an attack and mocking the Syrian government, noting that its military had famously not mentioned detecting Israeli missiles and warplanes in various incidents over the years — from the bombing of Syrian arms stores during the civil war to the attack on a suspected nuclear site several years ago. 

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the House expressed strong support Tuesday for a U.S. military strike against Syria, offering crucial congressional backing for President Obama’s request for authorization to use force to respond to what they and the administration say was a devastation chemical weapons attack last month.

Speaking to reporters after a White House meeting with Obama and other top congressional leaders, House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said, “I’m going to support the president’s call for action; I believe my colleagues should support this call for action.”

[Jeremiah 49:24] Damascus has become helpless; she has turned away to flee, and panic has gripped her; distress and pangs have taken hold of her like a woman in childbirth. 

Syrian refugee camp in Jordan

More than two million Syrians have now fled their war-ravaged country, according to the UN refugee agency, marking the nearly 10-fold increase from a year ago. In addition to the two million Syrians living as refugees, another 4.25 million people have been displaced within the country since the conflict began in March 2011, UN figures show. "Syria is hemorrhaging women, children and men who cross borders often with little more than the clothes on their backs," the UNHCR said in a statement on Tuesday, pointing out that on September 3, 2012, it had registered just 230,671 Syrian refugees. 

It will take more than a month before we see any strikes on Assad, but what I see is mass defections; Syrian soldiers will be running. Assad will stand naked like a virgin. 

Next. When it comes to the stockpiles of chemical weapons I see a black-mailing like pressure put on Assad - do this or else... Instead of bombing the man it is better to isolate him and strip him of any cloaks of power and then get down to the stockpiles of that nasty stuff he recently used on the Syrian people including more than 400 children. 

As far as our tour to Israel is concerned (Sep. 29 - Oct. 10) we are safe and will be privileged to watch God's enfolding glory. And in reference to this let me cite my favored verse from Isaiah 62. 

[Isiah 62:1-5] For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; but you will be called, “My delight is in her,” and your land, “Married”; for the LORD delights in you, and to Him your land will be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. 

LBRM