A power vacuum seems to be developing in three significant nations at a crucial juncture in world affairs. Where will this lead? When it all shakes out, it could impact the lives of millions of people. Who will emerge to lead the world into the future?

Within weeks Britain will have a new prime minister. On Tuesday, May 1, Tony Blair said that he will shortly be leaving office, almost certainly to be replaced by his finance minister, Gordon Brown. He will announce the exact date next week, after the furor over this week's local elections has passed. Precisely 10 years ago, to the cheers of an assembled crowd, bright-eyed Mr. Blair walked into Downing Street as the youngest prime minister since 1812. His arrival ended many years of Conservative party rule, much of it dominated by Margaret Thatcher.

What has happened in those 10 years for Great Britain? The economy has been strong and, though London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it continues to be a magnet for people from other European countries and the developing world. People seeking to improve their lives enter Great Britain every day.

The biggest question ahead will be the relationship Gordon Brown develops with President George Bush and, thus, the American people. Some are advising Mr. Brown to distance himself from the United States, something that may be hard to do since he loves to vacation each summer on the U.S. east coast. The British and American relationship is perhaps the most crucial in all history. What these two English-speaking nations, and those closely associated with them, have done for the past 250 years is amazing.

America is in the midst of an early presidential campaign season, the earliest start in my memory. Many candidates are vying for each party's nomination, and the center of the debate for now is the Iraq war. The country is divided over this costly, long-term engagement, and the political power of the president hangs in the balance.

This week Congress signed a war-funding bill that called for troop withdrawal from Iraq to begin this year. As promised, President Bush vetoed the bill. This battle over funding and commitment is sending signals abroad to both friend and foe that there is serious division in the country's will to continue in Iraq. The consequences of this serious issue are critical to the people of Iraq, American troops and America's role as a world leader.

A third country experiencing a crisis is the state of Israel. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is under a withering attack for his handling of last summer's war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. For weeks, the cities and people of northern Israel endured rocket attacks from the Iranian-backed radical group whose avowed aim is to destroy Israel. A report was issued this week that charges the Olmert government with going to war without a clear plan and mishandling the war's progress.

Calls for the prime minister's resignation are strong, and he has little support among the people. This comes amid signs that Hezbollah has rearmed and is intent on another round of fighting in the coming months. Will Israel's enemies seek an advantage while this crisis develops?

These three nations are part of the larger prophetic understanding of world affairs at the close of the age. Many prophecies speak of the role of the English-speaking peoples in our day. Our booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy gives the details. It is important to watch the outcome of these three situations over the coming months.

May World News and Prophecy

The May issue of World News and Prophecy is now online. We lead this month with a story about the massive drought affecting Australia. Even more stringent water rationing is likely if rains do not come in the next few weeks. Reg Wright, one of our writers in Australia, covers this story for us.

As always, our goal is to help you navigate along your life's journey toward God's Kingdom.

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