[ET(end tyranny)]

I had always taken it to mean Rome also, but wondered if the different trumpets could pertain to different areas, and not just Rome?

[Austin Willard Wright]

I wonder when someone will try to claim that Afghanistan is Babylon. It certainly would be fun to watch the mental gymnastics that will be needed to do that.

[xzins]

Don't focus on the trumpets, focus on the events heralded by the trumpets. The question to me is if they're immediate or brought about over time. Question 2 is whether symbolic or actual. Since neither question is answerable, one must explore both and hold in abeyance any decisions until more information is provided.