The Pour Over Today - U.S. Airstrike in Iraq, Israel’s Requirements for Peace, & More | 12.27.23

Episode Date: December 27, 2023

Today, we’re talking about the United States’ retaliatory airstrike in Iraq, Israel’s requirements for a ceasefire, and other top news for Wednesday, December 27th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Support our staff and mission in 2024

Today we're talking about the United States' retaliatory airstrike in Iraq, Israel's requirements for a ceasefire, and other top news for Wednesday, December 27th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Here's the quote of the day. The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth, the very thing the whole story has been about. C.S. Lewis. Let's get started with some espresso shots.

All was not calm on Christmas. At a military base in Iraq, three U.S. service members were injured, one critically, in a drone attack by Kataib Hezbollah, or the Hezbollah Brigades, an Iraq-based Iran-aligned terrorist group. President Biden ordered a retaliatory airstrike that decimated three drone launch sites in Iraq and likely killed a number of Qatayb Hezbollah militants. The U.S. blames Iran for the almost daily drone strikes on American bases in Iraq and Syria, and Iran blames the U.S. for intensifying the war in Gaza by supporting Israel. Over in Russia during the not-so-silent night, Ukrainian cruise missiles damaged a Russian warship in Crimea. One person was killed, and the ship was decommissioned, hindering Russia's ability to seize additional Ukrainian territory on the Black Sea coast. Wars across the world underscore our need for the peace Emmanuel brings.

As you pack up your Christmas decorations in the coming weeks, hold on to the hope ushered in by the baby born in Bethlehem, the humble king over all. Micah 5 verses 2 and 4 say, Out of Bethlehem will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. After days of negotiating, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for aid for Gaza, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. The legally binding resolution

calls for, quote, urgent steps to groups say is woefully insufficient. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the U.S. has been adamant that it would veto a resolution calling for one, saying an immediate truce would only benefit Hamas. calling for one, saying an immediate truce would only benefit Hamas. The resolution demands urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors, and establishes an appointed coordinator to facilitate relief efforts and report back to the Council. The measure passed in a 13-0 vote, with the U.S. and Russia abstaining. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu separately outlined his three requirements for peace. Hamas destroyed, Gaza demilitarized, and Palestinians de-radicalized.

When it feels like darkness is closing in, remember that the fight is not over. The righteousness, justice, peace, and light of the Lord will prevail. Psalm 37, verses 1, 5, 10, and 11 say, Fret not yourself because of evildoers. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in Him, and He will act. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Today's episode is ad-free, thanks to listeners who choose to pay. They don't get anything except the warm fuzzies of supporting Christ First News. If you want to support our staff and mission in 2024, follow the link in our show notes. Thank you. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Too bad Rudolph was busy. After most of the country had gloomy Christmas weather, nearly a million people across five states in the northern central plains remained under blizzard or ice storm warnings yesterday. More rain and snow are expected to move across the country this week, making for hazardous holiday travel conditions to end the year.

Special Counsel Jack Smith didn't get what he asked for. The Supreme Court declined, for now, to determine whether former President Trump is immune from prosecution for alleged crimes while in office. Smith hoped to expedite a decision before election season. Instead, the case will move through the normal appeals process, likely delaying the trial's current March 4th start date. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has a good sense of humor for someone who was quote-unquote missing for three weeks before resurfacing in an Arctic penal colony known for its uniquely harsh conditions. On X Yesterday, Navalny, who is currently serving a

controversial 19-year sentence for starting an extremist organization, said he's fine and is, quote, your new Santa Claus, unquote. Holiday spending was up 3.1% this year, once again defying retailers' fears of a drop. Surveyed economists and CEOs have put away their Grinch costumes and are now forecasting a relatively normal 2024, economically. After years of supply chain issues, high inflation, high unemployment, and bank failures, normal sounds pretty good. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a 5-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and we hope you have a great day.

We'll see you on Friday.