With the fall of the government in Egypt many are wondering what is coming next. What will this mean for the Middle East and the future state of realtions with this part of the world?

While the work of the recreation of government is underway by the military in Egypt, the people of Egypt still don't know what the future holds. While I won't pretend to know exactly how this whole situation will play out I think it is important to point out that there is an immense population of Muslims in the Middle East that are looking for change.

The Fall of Mubarak will indeed go down in history. The question is what will follow? I believe that this will be seen as a rallying cry for many Muslims to rise up against their own government as well. This is fertile ground for Islamic extremism to take root and I would not be surprised to find out that al Queda has already moved to take advantage of the people's discontent all over the region.

What I think we in the West are missing is the signifigance that this historic event truly holds. While we are moved for the people of Egypt and their fight for freedom, we should also discern the movement that is gaining momentum within this part of the world and recognize the inherent dangers involved.

The best way to illustrate this is to show you. 

 The Roman Empire (at its largest)

The Ottoman Empire (at its largest)

The Islamic World (2011)

The first two maps show two of the worlds most powerful and expansive empires: The Roman Empire and The Ottoman Empire. Obviously there is no way to reconstitute the Roman Empire in this day and age. There is no singular religion or enthnicity that would be able to rally the Romans to rise again. Not so with the Ottoman Empire.

According to Wikipedia: 

At the height of its power, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the empire spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. (not unlike today)

While history has seen the decline of The Ottoman Empire as a singular entity under a centralized control (Turkey) the influence of Islam has never waned in this part of the world and continues to this day. The only "piece of the puzzle" that is missing is Europe. However, due to lax immigration policies over the last two decades Europe's Muslim population is very significant and Muslims now outnumber natives in many parts of Europe.

The map of the Islamic World above shows clearly the influence and the expanse of Muslims in the world. There are two different types of Muslims in this world: Shia and Sunni. The vast majority being of the latter persuasion. However, they are Muslims just the same and they are ALL waiting for the same thing: The Mahdi.

The Mahdi is fortold to be the last great Muslim ruler. He is to appear at the End Times and will unite the Islamic world. He will establish the Caliphate and he will bring justice to a world full of oppression. Islam will be declared as the only true religion under his rule.

Take all of that into account and take another look at the maps. I think you'll begin to understand why the emerging empire in the Middle East is quickly becoming a very dangerous entity that we need to be paying closer attention to. 

Think for one moment how powerful this new empire would be if the real estate on that last map along with all of its resources and arms were to fall under the control of a singular ruler. This would become THE most powerful empire in history. 

The fields are ripe and fertile and the seeds have been sow. The growth has begun and it will soon be time for the harvest. The Islamic Empire is more exapansive than at any other time in history and they are all waiting for one person to arise that will unite them all.

Things are going to get very interesting very soon. Keep your eyes on the Middle East and stay tuned...