Post Iran War: What Are the World’s Greatest Threats?

President Donald Trump announced Sunday evening that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) had been reached with Iran. It read:

The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow! President DONALD J. TRUMP.

The 14 point MOU was released today with 60 days of negotiations following. President Trump signed it on behalf of the USA on Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles in France.  

With Iran War now behind us and gas prices beginning to fall, I’ve been thinking about the greatest threats that America and the world face during the summer of ’26.

Post Iran War: The World’s Greatest Threats During the Summer of ’26

Through the 819 blogs I’ve written since 2012, I’ve intentionally tried to balance bad news of danger with positive accounts of God’s wondrous works. Prophets tend to see the “half empty cup” more clearly that the half full one. For fifty years I was called by God to “declare to the people their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

Israel’s greatest prophet–Isaiah–gave both messages of judgment and hope during his ministry. In his book (Isaiah is the second longest in the Bible after Psalms), chapters 1-39 focus more on the “bad news” and chapters 40-66 on the “good.”

Application? Wise people will be honest about sin yet filled with grace and hope.

After today’s article, I will focus for three weeks on the amazing and positive aspects of America’s 250th birthday. There is much to ponder and celebrate about the USA experiment in liberty–what one author describes as the “5000 year leap.” 

Let’s set the stage for “good news” by analyzing some of the world’s greatest threats as the summer of ’26 dawns.

Iran

Despite the propaganda of the Left, Iran is greatly diminished after the relatively brief four-month conflict. Two levels of jihadist leadership are dead. The nation’s military defenses were destroyed. Iran’s navy sits at the bottom of the Persian Gulf. Most of their enriched uranium and ballistic missile stockpiles are destroyed or under rubble. The Iranian economy is in free fall with 80% inflation. 

Militarily, we won decisively.

Victor Davis Hanson gives a balanced perspective on the war .

Newt Gingrich put it this way:

President Trump steered a course between the Barrack Obama-Joe Biden appeasement model and strategy which would have required a huge ground invasion. He used our technological strengths in airpower and intelligence capabilities to bludgeon the religious dictatorship into positions far distant from where they were under Obama and Biden.

That’s why the still-alive mullahs will sign the MOU.  

Anyone who says Iran won this war or is stronger now is either ignorant or deceived (I heard a PhD from Duke say as much on TV yesterday). Iran is humbled and teetering after American/Israeli/Gulf States bombing. They are greatly diminished and more susceptible than ever to a people revolt to cast off the remaining religious tyrants.

We’ve witnessed breakthrough number one in answer to prayer–no usable nukes and military degradation. Let’s keep praying for breakthrough number two–the liberation of the Persian people into a free and prosperous nation.

Iran is still a threat until the Islamic Republic is no more. Ronald Reagan told us a generation ago to “Trust but verify.” Regarding Iran, it’s probably necessary to “Distrust and bomb” if they lie or renege (as President Trump said in today’s press conference).   

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is the latest technological revolution and I admit to using AI to research this article. It’s a phenomenal tool for putting information at your fingertips and make life better on earth.

Artificial intelligence is a tool, and a logical one after the invention of the Internet. All tools can be used for either good or evil. The good that AI creates will bless billions of people in coming years. Quicker information, scientific breakthroughs, new inventions, replacing repetitive work, better food harvests, and much more will spring forth during the AI revolution.

It will also help to complete the Great Commission via better travel, quicker Bible translation, enhanced evangelism resources, and flooding the world with God’s truth. 

But AI can be used for great evil including disinformation, biased propaganda, human surveillance, job replacement (though it will create more job than it takes), and even the rise of an anti-Christ global government where the “ruler” may not be human.

Despite these dangers, it’s a waste of time for communities to resist AI data centers. That’s as unproductive as not wanting the railroad to come through your town 200 years ago. Data centers will bring more good than bad. Yes, corporations who benefit by them should pay most of the costs and smart placement is necessary (including AI data centers in orbit via SpaceX). 

But resisting them will hurt your community more than help. AI will multiply both the “wheat and the tares.” Jesus said to let freedom take its course (Matthew 13:24-30). (I used AI to find that Bible reference.)

Russia and China 

I believe Russia will make a peace deal soon with Ukraine because the Russian economy is hurting (oil-related) and Ukrainian drones hitting Russian infrastructure are changing the course of the four -year conflict. Cuba will probably be the next Russian puppet to fall.

But Vladimir Putin is a menace to the world as long as he lives.

China is not an ascending power but a desperate one because the Trump Administration is rearranging world’s oil flow via the Iran conflict and boxing China in with our naval superiority. Their one-child policy will wreak havoc on the nation within a decade–cutting its population in half. The capture of Taiwan is still possible, but the USA is helping the Taiwanese defend themselves with advanced weapons that could make China think twice about invading.

As long as the CCP exists, freedom is threatened in Asia and worldwide.

European Union

They proved to be a paper tiger and AWOL partner during Iran War. Unrestrained immigration and secular malaise are destroying a once vibrant Judeo-Christian civilization. Europe is hurting the world with its absence of “light” and creeping totalitarianism. They pose a danger by being of no help in changing the world for good.

The Democratic Party and its Allies

I believe the greatest threat to the world during the summer of 2026 is the increasingly Marxist Democratic Party in the USA. They failed to back the Iran War and Persian people. They didn’t care if the mullahs had nukes. Their atheistic radicalism is bent on tearing down America’s history, social life, and future projections of freedom around the world.

They are no longer the party of JFK and FDR, but rather of AOC and Bernie Sanders.

The cultural civil war in the United States, led by the Democratic party and its media and institutional allies, is the greatest danger we face. If they succeed in winning the 2026 midterms and come back to presidential power in 2028, then evil may overrun this nation and greatly impact the world.

But America’s 250th birthday is coming on July 4th. God is on the move. Revival is growing in our nation. 

President Ronald Reagan said a generation ago:

“My dream for America is we’re going to make history again. Our victory will be a victory for America’s future and the land that President Lincoln called, ‘the last, best hope of Earth.’ “

A revived “light-bearing” America is critical to the world in 2026.

We must win the cultural civil war. 

Keep up the prayers.