Torch, Fall 2006

weapons. It already has the biggest missile inventory in the entire Middle East, along with large numbers of chemical and biological weapons. President Ahmedinejad is a follower of one of the most apocalyptic Islamic sects. He believes that the 12 th (or Hidden) Imam, the Mahdi, will return at a time of total chaos to bring peace (and Islam) to the world. Worse, his sect appears to believe that the Mahdi’s return can be accelerated by creating the apocalyptic situation necessary for him to appear. The Bottom Line Iran has radical ambitions and billions of dollars in oil wealth to support them. It is the number-one state supporter of terrorism and accepts none of the accepted rules of warfare. Internally, it refers to its anticipated nuclear weapon as the “Islamic bomb.” In short, the Iranian regime has both the money and the motivation to confront the world and demonstrates no hesitation about creating (or, indeed, incurring) mass casualties. Iran is by far the greatest danger to the Middle East — and the world — today. An ancient curse says, “May you live in interesting times.” Welcome to interesting times. Cedarville University alumnus Dr. Frank Jenista served as an American diplomat for 25 years and is currently professor of international studies at the University. During the summer, he often returns to duty with the U.S. State Department, is regularly invited to speak at the U.S. Marine War College, and last year studied terrorism and counterterrorism in Israel. Fall 2006 / TORCH 13 Earn your M.Ed. at Call 1-888-CEDARVILLE (233-2784) or visit www.cedarville.edu/graduate for registration information. The Cedarville University graduate program is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools ( www.ncahlc.org ) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). “If you stop growing today, you stop teaching tomorrow.” —Howard Hendricks Tuition scholarships make our G RADUATE E DUCATION affordable . Mentoring faculty and convenient modules make it the right choice ! T