By the time many of you read this letter America's first presidential primary (actually a caucus) will be over and we'll hopefully have a clearer picture of who will be the nominees for the 2008 presidential election. Oh, it may take a few more weeks and several primaries for the dust to settle, but we will at least begin to sort through the field of politicians who have been campaigning for more than a year to get to this point.

This election is different from many in our lifetime. It may also prove to be the most significant. Not since 1952 have we seen a presidential election where no sitting president or his vice president is running. It is a wide open field, and there are many candidates from varied and different backgrounds and ideologies. As of today the front runners seem to be running about even in the polls. No one seems to stand out with any strong positions of leadership. Perhaps that is what the electorate is sensing as they weigh everyone's ideas. That is what concerns me.

America's role in today's world is coming under intense pressure. The next president will confront even more challenges that those put before George Bush in 2001. The world's perception of American leadership, embodied in the person who sits in the Oval Office, is a critical key to the future. Events are turning against America in many ways that go unnoticed.

Last week Benazir Bhutto was assassinated as she campaigned in Pakistan. Bhutto was supportive of America and would have continued to support American policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Her enemies killed her. In Kenya President Mwai Kibaki, another supporter of America's efforts to combat terrorism in that part of Africa, is embroiled in an election problem that has led to riots in the country. Friendship with America has a price.

The dollar's decline continues on world markets. While the size and impact of the American economy dominates global markets, there are signs of shifting relationships and perceptions. The recent subprime lending crisis has created problems with confidence, and confidence is an all important factor. The world economy is poised for ever greater heights and no nation, especially America, is going to stand in the way of that growth. The strong positions of Asia, the Middle East and Europe will see that commerce and trade continues to move unhindered from port to port.

This election is important to America's future global leadership role. That is why there is such keen interest in who wins in Iowa this week and come November.  Although  World  News and Prophecy does not get involved with national politics, we understand the key leadership role the nation plays in today's world. We also understand it is God who puts rulers in their positions and that nothing happens without His final direction.

As the calendar turns to 2008, there are a number of items we will be watching. Our January issue just went to press, and we lead with an article about the new European treaty signed only a few weeks ago. We also have an article analyzing the Bhutto assassination. You can read these online right now.

Stay warm and keep watching.