Bucket Shop Bill,
I used to defend the "Peace and security" statement as being a special unique proclamation but am now agreeing with your statement.
It doesn't say that there is some universal achievement that is announced. It's just something that people say to themselves. "All is well" therefore I can rest easy. Humans like to know everything is quiet, peaceful, and secure so they can get a good nights rest. That's why it says in vs 6 of 1Thess. Chapter 5. "So then let us not sleep on as the rest do but let us stay awake and keep our senses." That's when suddenly, without warning conditions of intense suffering ensue - like the birth pangs of a pregnant woman.
So you don't need an announcement. People will go to bed like they usually do in the vast majority of the world thinking it's safe to close their eyes and get their rest. Ho-hum another day another dollar....zzzzz.....I wonder what I'm going to do this weekend....zzzzz.....
Perhaps the period we have been experiencing the last 20 years since the Soviet Union died has been relatively peaceful. The United States has been involved in wars but they were wars (especially after 9/11) but even these were wars of their own choosing and not really necessary.
Another place where an unexpeccted attack occurs is in Daniel 8:23-25 It describes Putin the Anti-Christ.
23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Putin is known for his stern face. He is a master of intrigue since he was once even in charge of the FSB. He also came to power by appointment. He never had a constituency. Yeltsin and his clan of oligarchs chose him because they knew he would be loyal.
It is foolish to think that there will be a good ending to the current conflict between the USA and Russia.
Everyone laughed at Romney when he said Russia was the number one security threat to the USA.
When asked about that recently Obama dissed Russia “Russia is a regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors — not out of strength but out of weakness,” he went on to say “I continue to be much more concerned when it comes to our security with the prospect of a nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan.”
Well that could happen. That would wake up everyone from their secure and peaceful sleep. Don't put it past Putin. He could do that and blame it on Jihadist.