John & Doves,
 
This is totally speculative, but what if Yellowstone exploded just as the rapture happened?  There has been quite a bit of news about the immenancy of its exploding.  There would be enough confusion and life lost that the majority of the world wouldn't know or really even be concerned with the fact that millions just disappeared.
 
With the US dealing and realing from such an exposion, the middle east could do what ever it wanted without fear of retribution.
 
In His Grace,
Jill