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Enemies and Allies: An Unforgettable Journey inside the Fast-Moving & Immensely Turbulent Modern Middle East
Do recent changes in the Middle East signal peace? One Arab country after another is signing historic, game-changing peace, trade, investment, and tourism deals with Israel. At the same time, Russia, Iran, and Turkey are forming a highly dangerous alliance that could threaten the Western powers. Meanwhile, the U.S. is drawing down its military forces in the Mideast and focusing on matters closer to home. Where's it all heading?
New York Times bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg, based in Jerusalem, skillfully and clearly explains the sometimes-encouraging, sometimes-violent, yet rapidly shifting landscape in Israel and the Arab/Muslim world. Enemies and Allies will take readers behind closed doors in the Middle East and introduce them to the very kings and crown princes, presidents and prime ministers who are leading the change.
Includes exclusive, never-before-published quotes, insights, and analysis from the author's conversations with some of the most complex and controversial leaders in the world:
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Jordan's King Abdullah II
United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin
New York Times bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg, based in Jerusalem, skillfully and clearly explains the sometimes-encouraging, sometimes-violent, yet rapidly shifting landscape in Israel and the Arab/Muslim world. Enemies and Allies will take readers behind closed doors in the Middle East and introduce them to the very kings and crown princes, presidents and prime ministers who are leading the change.
Includes exclusive, never-before-published quotes, insights, and analysis from the author's conversations with some of the most complex and controversial leaders in the world:
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Jordan's King Abdullah II
United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2021
467 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
About the author
Joel C. Rosenberg
56 books3,009 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Note: This is a different person than the fantasy author, Joel Rosenberg
Joel C. Rosenberg is the founder of The Joshua Fund and the New York Times best-selling author of THE LAST JIHAD (2002), THE LAST DAYS (2003), THE EZEKIEL OPTION (2005), THE COPPER SCROLL (2006), EPICENTER (2006) and DEAD HEAT (2008) with more than 1.5 million copies in print. THE EZEKIEL OPTION was named by the ECPA as the Gold Medallion winner of the "Best Novel of 2006." Joel, an evangelical Christian whose mother is Gentile and whose father is from an Orthodox Jewish background, previously worked with several U.S. and Israeli leaders, including Steve Forbes, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV shows.
He and his wife have four sons and live near Washington, DC.
Note: This is a different person than the fantasy author, Joel Rosenberg
Joel C. Rosenberg is the founder of The Joshua Fund and the New York Times best-selling author of THE LAST JIHAD (2002), THE LAST DAYS (2003), THE EZEKIEL OPTION (2005), THE COPPER SCROLL (2006), EPICENTER (2006) and DEAD HEAT (2008) with more than 1.5 million copies in print. THE EZEKIEL OPTION was named by the ECPA as the Gold Medallion winner of the "Best Novel of 2006." Joel, an evangelical Christian whose mother is Gentile and whose father is from an Orthodox Jewish background, previously worked with several U.S. and Israeli leaders, including Steve Forbes, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV shows.
He and his wife have four sons and live near Washington, DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 21, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Joel C. Rosenberg, and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
As a former student of politics and a lover of political thrillers of all stripes, I have come to really enjoy the work of Joel C. Rosenberg. I do not profess to know a great deal about the intricacies of the Middle East or its precarious political situation, outside of the primary tenets developed in the latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st. Rosenberg’s fiction has been quite telling, at times predicting events that did occur, which has always left me paying close attention when he spins a tale. In this, a piece of non-fiction, Rosenberg not only offers his opinions about progress in the region, but he provides first-hand accounts of discussions and scenarios with the various actors who have/will be responsible for peace in the region, as well as the emergence of religious freedoms, namely for evangelical Christians. It’s a telling piece and eye opening at the same time.
Rosenberg makes clear in the opening portion of the book that he is no soothsayer or prognosticator of what will happen in the region, but has been able to engage in key meetings with various high-ranking officials to get their opinions on situations, as well as forecasting what is likely to come in a reform movement. Israel is no longer an automatic pariah to countries in the region, though it is not a one-sided situation where Arab and Muslim countries are prepared to simply ‘take a knee’ and let Israel have what they have wanted since 1948. As with anything, there is a balance, albeit precarious, to a peace in the Middle East and the harmony that will occur thereafter.
While not seeking to name drop or put himself on a pedestal, Rosenberg makes clear that he has been given some unique access to various world leaders in the past few years. Organizing delegations as a Jewish evangelical Christian (you have to read the book to understand) and Israeli citizen (in all honesty, a joint US-Israeli citizen for the past number of years), Rosenberg has broken new ground in getting leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and even Saudi Arabia, to sit with him and share their visions for the future. These include both within the country, as well as throughout the region. All include a view towards a peaceful interaction with Israel and a stronger connection to the evangelical Christian base Rosenberg espouses.
As the title asserts, there are also enemies in the region who would seek to stymie progress, or who are not helpful to the peace process. Iran and Turkey are two of these countries and their leaders, while perhaps eschewing their own version of the truth, have taken a hard-nose approach to both Israel and the United States. Rosenberg is clearly critical, not only of these actors (tossing Russia in there as well), but also points to a lack of definitive political bullying by the Obama Administration when they had the chance. While there are moments of sycophantic, pro-Trump rhetoric, the book does not make the past president appear to be the saviour of the region or that his views are the only hope for peace.
Rosenberg uses the last portion of the book to explore the possibility of religious freedom in the region, particularly for evangelical Christians. There appears to be a move towards such freedoms, citing that a number of the leaders to whom he spoke were happy to allocate a portion of the country to open Christian religious practice, as well as the building of churches. This is, according to Rosenberg, progress that parallels the emergence of a peace with Israel, inching forward slowly but notably.
While a piece of non-fiction and surely meant to convey some of the region’s history and current political turnaround, the book is not a dry recollection of events. Rather, it is Rosenberg’s personal interactions and conversations with leaders in the region over a period of years. While there are moments of necessary paraphrasing, it is full of strong quotes and explanations that readers without a thorough understanding of the region of its leaders can digest with ease. I found myself flying through the chapters, as they are intriguing and offer insights I had not considered, even if it is clearly seen through the lens of the speaker at times and not always analyzed through every angle. Backed by substantive endnotes, Rosenberg shows that this is not a soapbox diatribe, but rather work supported by documentation to which the reader can refer if they choose.
I will continue reading many of the fictional accounts of the region that Joel C. Rosenberg develops in his novels, as they tell a story that few other authors can present. The nuances woven into their narratives are not to be dismissed as off-hand or fairytales, as Rosenberg has shown that he knows the region, its actors, and the possible fallout. Fans of his work may enjoy this to see where some of the ideas for his past (and future) novels come from, though this is also a great piece for those who enjoy a perspective or two on Middle East politics and the upcoming perspectives of key players.
Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for an intriguing look at the other side of your writing. I enjoy seeing your non-fiction writing, as it complements those novels I have come to enjoy for the past many years!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
As a former student of politics and a lover of political thrillers of all stripes, I have come to really enjoy the work of Joel C. Rosenberg. I do not profess to know a great deal about the intricacies of the Middle East or its precarious political situation, outside of the primary tenets developed in the latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st. Rosenberg’s fiction has been quite telling, at times predicting events that did occur, which has always left me paying close attention when he spins a tale. In this, a piece of non-fiction, Rosenberg not only offers his opinions about progress in the region, but he provides first-hand accounts of discussions and scenarios with the various actors who have/will be responsible for peace in the region, as well as the emergence of religious freedoms, namely for evangelical Christians. It’s a telling piece and eye opening at the same time.
Rosenberg makes clear in the opening portion of the book that he is no soothsayer or prognosticator of what will happen in the region, but has been able to engage in key meetings with various high-ranking officials to get their opinions on situations, as well as forecasting what is likely to come in a reform movement. Israel is no longer an automatic pariah to countries in the region, though it is not a one-sided situation where Arab and Muslim countries are prepared to simply ‘take a knee’ and let Israel have what they have wanted since 1948. As with anything, there is a balance, albeit precarious, to a peace in the Middle East and the harmony that will occur thereafter.
While not seeking to name drop or put himself on a pedestal, Rosenberg makes clear that he has been given some unique access to various world leaders in the past few years. Organizing delegations as a Jewish evangelical Christian (you have to read the book to understand) and Israeli citizen (in all honesty, a joint US-Israeli citizen for the past number of years), Rosenberg has broken new ground in getting leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and even Saudi Arabia, to sit with him and share their visions for the future. These include both within the country, as well as throughout the region. All include a view towards a peaceful interaction with Israel and a stronger connection to the evangelical Christian base Rosenberg espouses.
As the title asserts, there are also enemies in the region who would seek to stymie progress, or who are not helpful to the peace process. Iran and Turkey are two of these countries and their leaders, while perhaps eschewing their own version of the truth, have taken a hard-nose approach to both Israel and the United States. Rosenberg is clearly critical, not only of these actors (tossing Russia in there as well), but also points to a lack of definitive political bullying by the Obama Administration when they had the chance. While there are moments of sycophantic, pro-Trump rhetoric, the book does not make the past president appear to be the saviour of the region or that his views are the only hope for peace.
Rosenberg uses the last portion of the book to explore the possibility of religious freedom in the region, particularly for evangelical Christians. There appears to be a move towards such freedoms, citing that a number of the leaders to whom he spoke were happy to allocate a portion of the country to open Christian religious practice, as well as the building of churches. This is, according to Rosenberg, progress that parallels the emergence of a peace with Israel, inching forward slowly but notably.
While a piece of non-fiction and surely meant to convey some of the region’s history and current political turnaround, the book is not a dry recollection of events. Rather, it is Rosenberg’s personal interactions and conversations with leaders in the region over a period of years. While there are moments of necessary paraphrasing, it is full of strong quotes and explanations that readers without a thorough understanding of the region of its leaders can digest with ease. I found myself flying through the chapters, as they are intriguing and offer insights I had not considered, even if it is clearly seen through the lens of the speaker at times and not always analyzed through every angle. Backed by substantive endnotes, Rosenberg shows that this is not a soapbox diatribe, but rather work supported by documentation to which the reader can refer if they choose.
I will continue reading many of the fictional accounts of the region that Joel C. Rosenberg develops in his novels, as they tell a story that few other authors can present. The nuances woven into their narratives are not to be dismissed as off-hand or fairytales, as Rosenberg has shown that he knows the region, its actors, and the possible fallout. Fans of his work may enjoy this to see where some of the ideas for his past (and future) novels come from, though this is also a great piece for those who enjoy a perspective or two on Middle East politics and the upcoming perspectives of key players.
Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for an intriguing look at the other side of your writing. I enjoy seeing your non-fiction writing, as it complements those novels I have come to enjoy for the past many years!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 29, 2024
A fiction authors major non-fiction book, he gives an update on leaders and nations of the Middle East. Giving his personal interviews and anecdotes of the various leaders as he personally experienced them.
Events evolve so fast in this part of the world that it is already dated; nevertheless, it presents his perspective background information on the religious and political alignments making it a fascinating primary source.
He is a citizen of both Israel and the United States, an evangelical and jewish which is better than claiming he has no bias... He is also naive, confusing immediate claims of leaders at face value with the Middle East complexities that never make it into the managed media, vomiting superficial observation shedding very little light on the topic, and he uses this book to peddle his previously written tomes.
I lost count of how many references he makes to his own previous works, and how many times he "drops names" of people who loved them.
3/5
The book is very superficial and really focuses on a strong bias the author has, normally this would be fine, but he is claiming to provide insight, rather than what it is, a who's-who of the leaders and his projection on their personalities.
While I'm certain he's a great author, if the book was meant to be about his adventures of at least I would've enjoyed it. Instead, it feels like a cheap slapdash attempt at understanding the political environment.
Events evolve so fast in this part of the world that it is already dated; nevertheless, it presents his perspective background information on the religious and political alignments making it a fascinating primary source.
He is a citizen of both Israel and the United States, an evangelical and jewish which is better than claiming he has no bias... He is also naive, confusing immediate claims of leaders at face value with the Middle East complexities that never make it into the managed media, vomiting superficial observation shedding very little light on the topic, and he uses this book to peddle his previously written tomes.
I lost count of how many references he makes to his own previous works, and how many times he "drops names" of people who loved them.
3/5
The book is very superficial and really focuses on a strong bias the author has, normally this would be fine, but he is claiming to provide insight, rather than what it is, a who's-who of the leaders and his projection on their personalities.
While I'm certain he's a great author, if the book was meant to be about his adventures of at least I would've enjoyed it. Instead, it feels like a cheap slapdash attempt at understanding the political environment.
September 20, 2021
Listened to on Audible.
Joel Rosenberg primarily writes novels and I've read and enjoyed several of them. This was my first non-Fiction book by the author. He has a unique perspective having grown up in the United States and moved to Israel in 2014. Joel has dual citizenship. He has a Jewish father and Gentile mother.
Enemies and Allies shares his experiences in meeting with leaders in the Middle East. I learned a number of new things in listening to this novel. An advantage to Audible was hearing pronunciations that I likely would have gotten wrong in reading written pages.
Overall, I'm glad to have listened to this book and happy that my pre-order supports Joel. Lots of information and the delivery was fine. Compared to other non-Fiction reads/listens I've had this year, I found Enemies and Allies to be good, but not great. I recommend it for readers interested in learning more about Joel, Middle Eastern countries and current events.
Joel Rosenberg primarily writes novels and I've read and enjoyed several of them. This was my first non-Fiction book by the author. He has a unique perspective having grown up in the United States and moved to Israel in 2014. Joel has dual citizenship. He has a Jewish father and Gentile mother.
Enemies and Allies shares his experiences in meeting with leaders in the Middle East. I learned a number of new things in listening to this novel. An advantage to Audible was hearing pronunciations that I likely would have gotten wrong in reading written pages.
Overall, I'm glad to have listened to this book and happy that my pre-order supports Joel. Lots of information and the delivery was fine. Compared to other non-Fiction reads/listens I've had this year, I found Enemies and Allies to be good, but not great. I recommend it for readers interested in learning more about Joel, Middle Eastern countries and current events.
January 19, 2022
A stunning work.
September 5, 2021
What better way to explain the volatile Middle East than to bring a boatload of facts, much of it statements directly from the people involved? Well-known author Joel C. Rosenberg, renowned for his fiction as well as numerous books on the Middle East, shares his knowledge of the people involved in some of the most unexpected events in recent years.
For anyone confused on the participants and their motives, this book will serve as an excellent primer. Personally, I was not aware that a group of evangelical Christians – organized by the author – had visited several Middle Eastern countries and talked directly with the leaders of those countries. Reading this book was truly an eye-opener for me.
Getting the facts directly from the leaders of countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia (to name a few) changed many of my viewpoints (some of which were sound a few years ago). It is hard to judge from the different news outlets whether the information they convey is true, slightly true, or completely slanted to accommodate a particular point of view, and seldom do we have the opportunity to gain insight to the stances and future plans of those who hold the power to effect change. This book identifies the allies and enemies in the Middle East and places a different perspective of what is happening, based upon the meetings Mr. Rosenberg helped generate.
Central to the book is the documentation of those meetings. At a time when leaders in the Middle East were privately considering peace with Israel, the author initiated a meeting with a leader from a Muslim country. From this one act grew the strength for more leaders to reach out, and lengthy discussions between Arab leaders and evangelical Christians took place. One cannot discount the historical impact these meetings had on all parties, how many walls they may have helped loosen and tear down.
The last section of the book conjectures on the future of evangelical Christianity in the Middle East. Mr. Rosenberg shares his hopes and thoughts with us, and it is a natural conclusion to a book that is supported by the numerous footnotes included in each chapter. The author allows his faith to guide him throughout the journey, and while I am not an ardent follower of any of the religions talked about in the book, I can respect and appreciate what his opinions bring to this book. Highly recommended to those interested in the Middle East, history, and current events. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.
For anyone confused on the participants and their motives, this book will serve as an excellent primer. Personally, I was not aware that a group of evangelical Christians – organized by the author – had visited several Middle Eastern countries and talked directly with the leaders of those countries. Reading this book was truly an eye-opener for me.
Getting the facts directly from the leaders of countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia (to name a few) changed many of my viewpoints (some of which were sound a few years ago). It is hard to judge from the different news outlets whether the information they convey is true, slightly true, or completely slanted to accommodate a particular point of view, and seldom do we have the opportunity to gain insight to the stances and future plans of those who hold the power to effect change. This book identifies the allies and enemies in the Middle East and places a different perspective of what is happening, based upon the meetings Mr. Rosenberg helped generate.
Central to the book is the documentation of those meetings. At a time when leaders in the Middle East were privately considering peace with Israel, the author initiated a meeting with a leader from a Muslim country. From this one act grew the strength for more leaders to reach out, and lengthy discussions between Arab leaders and evangelical Christians took place. One cannot discount the historical impact these meetings had on all parties, how many walls they may have helped loosen and tear down.
The last section of the book conjectures on the future of evangelical Christianity in the Middle East. Mr. Rosenberg shares his hopes and thoughts with us, and it is a natural conclusion to a book that is supported by the numerous footnotes included in each chapter. The author allows his faith to guide him throughout the journey, and while I am not an ardent follower of any of the religions talked about in the book, I can respect and appreciate what his opinions bring to this book. Highly recommended to those interested in the Middle East, history, and current events. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.
January 20, 2023
Not a fan of the writer, but wanted to try to read outside my bubble. There were some salient points made about the region, but the unforgivable acts of citing his own previous writings as valid sources and name dropping all his evangelical friends who love the region because the Bible tells them so had me hate reading more than joy reading. I tried.
May 22, 2021
Awful inane Christianity-infused selfindulgent drivel.
I was pretty close to smashing up my Kindle with frustration after just two chapters.
Please join me in praying that this author henceforth sticks to fiction.
I was unfortunate enough to receive an advance copy from Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers without realising the it was listed as "Christian | Nonfiction (Adult) | Politics". It'll teach me to be more careful in the future. Congrats to Libby Dykstra for making the cover look like serious non-fiction.
Never mind, sometimes you just get an utter dud. Let's hope this was my only one for this year.
I was pretty close to smashing up my Kindle with frustration after just two chapters.
Please join me in praying that this author henceforth sticks to fiction.
I was unfortunate enough to receive an advance copy from Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers without realising the it was listed as "Christian | Nonfiction (Adult) | Politics". It'll teach me to be more careful in the future. Congrats to Libby Dykstra for making the cover look like serious non-fiction.
Never mind, sometimes you just get an utter dud. Let's hope this was my only one for this year.
September 23, 2021
This is probably the lightest and most superficial book that I have read on the Middle East. It has no real substance at all - just stories about the author's encounters in the region. No analysis, many factual mistakes and a lot of chit-chat. If you are looking for some political insights or reflection, look elsewhere. If you are looking for stories, look elsewhere too! The author treated the topic as one of his novels, but he did much worse this time!
September 26, 2021
I greatly admire Mr. Rosenberg. But was disappointed by his excessive praise for the administration in power during the last presidency. None of those people impressed as being anywhere near truthful and honest. Some are still in the process of trying to destroy our democracy. Rosenberg thinks they are heroic in dealing with radical Islam. So be it. NONE of the Americans he mentioned in the last administration impress as being dedicated Christians.
February 23, 2023
A non-fiction book by Joel Rosenberg that explores all the peace opportunities of the past and the recent happenings that are pointing to a lasting calming of the waters in the Middle East. Joel does a good job of tooting his own horn, but he does have a wide variety of contacts among the world leaders and spends more time in the air than on the ground. He abounds with energy in his attempt to get the opposing sides to sit at the same table and talk. I believe most thinking people would agree with his basic concept: Muslims, Christians, and Jews can live together in peace and mutual respect while holding different (and deeply held) theological and political views on a range of significant issues.
He does acknowledge that there is an extremist element that holds the death wish on all who do not fully agree with them, but he sees a softening of the younger leaders to give hope of possible new Middle East.
Sitting at one table of all these factions is probably a pipe dream, but one has to start with a dream in order to develop a changed world.
He does acknowledge that there is an extremist element that holds the death wish on all who do not fully agree with them, but he sees a softening of the younger leaders to give hope of possible new Middle East.
Sitting at one table of all these factions is probably a pipe dream, but one has to start with a dream in order to develop a changed world.
September 4, 2021
The Middle East has so many moving pieces, parts, and players, it's sometimes hard to know where to even begin!
Enter "Enemies and Allies." Rosenberg is uniquely positioned to write on the topic, and does a fantastic job at providing overviews of today's key players in the region--as well as documenting his own interactions with each and providing plenty of resources for further review. It was almost like a real-life bibliography for any of his fiction books, lol...if you ever wonder how he writes his series, this provides the factual basis--literal news headlines, interviews, and more.
A truly fascinating read. Helpful and insightful on all counts.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Enter "Enemies and Allies." Rosenberg is uniquely positioned to write on the topic, and does a fantastic job at providing overviews of today's key players in the region--as well as documenting his own interactions with each and providing plenty of resources for further review. It was almost like a real-life bibliography for any of his fiction books, lol...if you ever wonder how he writes his series, this provides the factual basis--literal news headlines, interviews, and more.
A truly fascinating read. Helpful and insightful on all counts.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
May 22, 2024
As a Jewish, evangelical journalist, living in Jerusalem, Rosenberg provides a unique perspective about the conflict between Middle Eastern countries and Israel. He has had interviews with several high-ranking officials, both of our country, and a multitude of others to provide legitimacy to everything he writes. wWhat makes Rosenberg‘s assessment special is his eschatological understanding of Islamic faith, and how that motivates their political ideologies. Excellent read.
January 8, 2022
Great update on how leaders in the Middle East are leaning regarding peace. Perspective from messianic Jewish author. Very insightful and encouraging.
April 23, 2023
I enjoyed that there was no liberal bias in this book presenting all arab figures as “bad actors”. The story gets a bit mumbled in his depiction as “l’homme d’affaire” and the sub story of christian evangelism
November 19, 2022
This book was recommended to me by my sister as an insightful look at current dynamics in the Middle East and beyond. It's possible that I had high expectations due to this referral... expectations which weren't met, that is.
I have never read any of Rosenberg's works of fiction. It's possible that other readers, who are already fans of his work, came to this book with an enthusiasm for hearing about the author's life and experience which I did not have... I was irritated by how often the author talks about his fictional work (at GREAT length and repeatedly), his personal success, how nice various politicians and monarchs were to him, the colour of the carpet in the rooms where they met (not even joking), and so on.
It gets two stars because there was some material here which, if you wait for it, does provide a layer of insight into the political interplay of various states and state actors, which would probably never make it past biased western journalists.
As other reviewers have also noted, a further factor which made the book cringe-worthy is the fairly superficial approach the author (and his entourage) seem to have had towards those with whom they met and their beliefs. For example, sometimes "good Islam" is viewed as "moderate Islam" by those who are not themselves considered moderate within the broader umbrella of Christendom. I guess I would've liked to have seen more of an indication that the author recognized the theological complexities involved.
Bottom line: If you love the author already, maybe you'll love this. If you don't mind having to wade through a lot of nonsense to get to the point, you may be okay with this as well. If you're not up to wading through plenty of cringe-worthy stuff to get to the goods, then give this a pass.
I have never read any of Rosenberg's works of fiction. It's possible that other readers, who are already fans of his work, came to this book with an enthusiasm for hearing about the author's life and experience which I did not have... I was irritated by how often the author talks about his fictional work (at GREAT length and repeatedly), his personal success, how nice various politicians and monarchs were to him, the colour of the carpet in the rooms where they met (not even joking), and so on.
It gets two stars because there was some material here which, if you wait for it, does provide a layer of insight into the political interplay of various states and state actors, which would probably never make it past biased western journalists.
As other reviewers have also noted, a further factor which made the book cringe-worthy is the fairly superficial approach the author (and his entourage) seem to have had towards those with whom they met and their beliefs. For example, sometimes "good Islam" is viewed as "moderate Islam" by those who are not themselves considered moderate within the broader umbrella of Christendom. I guess I would've liked to have seen more of an indication that the author recognized the theological complexities involved.
Bottom line: If you love the author already, maybe you'll love this. If you don't mind having to wade through a lot of nonsense to get to the point, you may be okay with this as well. If you're not up to wading through plenty of cringe-worthy stuff to get to the goods, then give this a pass.
December 17, 2021
This wasn’t really what I expected at the beginning, but I ended up finding it worth it. I had kind of thought it would be a little more unbiased picture of more recent events in the region, but it’s by an Israeli-American evangelical christian who definitely leans toward what you would expect someone described by those words to believe.
Either way, he did work hard to try and give Biden his fair shake—although his strong praise for Trump seemed a little praisy at times. (despite the fact that the Abraham Accords really was a great thing) It’s DEFINITEY repetitive, doesn’t seem to really talk about things of substance at times but kind of name-drop/talk about all the cool things he’s done…but overall after mainly hearing the more liberal side of the Israeli-Palestine conflict for the last several years, it was good to see a follower of Jesus with slightly different views still take a very loving and compassionate view toward Arabs and others not like him.
Either way, he did work hard to try and give Biden his fair shake—although his strong praise for Trump seemed a little praisy at times. (despite the fact that the Abraham Accords really was a great thing) It’s DEFINITEY repetitive, doesn’t seem to really talk about things of substance at times but kind of name-drop/talk about all the cool things he’s done…but overall after mainly hearing the more liberal side of the Israeli-Palestine conflict for the last several years, it was good to see a follower of Jesus with slightly different views still take a very loving and compassionate view toward Arabs and others not like him.
February 8, 2022
I could write a lengthy tome of why I think this book was a huge disappointment. I can't say that I learned anything of import except the confirmation that evangelical Christians are silly and annoying at best. One of their primary goals is to convert anyone and everyone to the Jesus Messiah concept, especially the Jews. I find that notion despicable and disrespectful from someone who claims to believe everyone should be free to have their own faith. Evangelical hypocritism at their finest.
How dare someone who has ghosted his Jewish roots keep saying they love the Jewish people. Leave us the eff alone. We are not missionaries and my biggest pride in being a Jew is our lack of need to missionize.
Get a grip and a clue Rosenberg, your Jewish friends may find you amusing, but I think the best I could say is stick to writing fiction. You are a lousy diplomat.
How dare someone who has ghosted his Jewish roots keep saying they love the Jewish people. Leave us the eff alone. We are not missionaries and my biggest pride in being a Jew is our lack of need to missionize.
Get a grip and a clue Rosenberg, your Jewish friends may find you amusing, but I think the best I could say is stick to writing fiction. You are a lousy diplomat.
October 17, 2021
Interesting take on interviews with Arab and Israeli leaders. Especially Reuven Rivlin.
Before reading this book I did not know that Joel was a "Jewish Evangelical Christian. " Therefore, I was not expecting the evangelical perspective of his visits with the Arab leaders. I respect what he has done, but how much more powerful those visits would have been had his group been comprised of Christians and Jews.
That aside, his interviews suggest that many of the Sunni leaders are beginning to understand the reality and permanence of Israel and the value of forming a warm peace, finally, for the benefit of all.
Before reading this book I did not know that Joel was a "Jewish Evangelical Christian. " Therefore, I was not expecting the evangelical perspective of his visits with the Arab leaders. I respect what he has done, but how much more powerful those visits would have been had his group been comprised of Christians and Jews.
That aside, his interviews suggest that many of the Sunni leaders are beginning to understand the reality and permanence of Israel and the value of forming a warm peace, finally, for the benefit of all.
July 19, 2021
Enemies and Allies is an interesting and fairly detailed glimpse into the back channel dealing between players in the Middle East from the standpoint of one of those players, the author, Joel Rosenberg. Those who follow his blog postings, media appearances, and articles in major news organizations will be familiar with much of the material, but the book pulls it all together and fills in gaps with added personal insights and color. Students of Middle East policy and those who are interested in "peace of Jerusalem" will find it interesting and informative if a bit necessarily long.
May 10, 2021
3.5 stars
Rosenberg's books are always so well written and spot-on. This is the first nonfiction book I've read from him, but it's interesting. He gives the reader a look at what's going on in the Middle East. He interviews heads of state, as well. The author has dual citizenship (US and Israel), so it's interesting to see his perspective on things.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
Rosenberg's books are always so well written and spot-on. This is the first nonfiction book I've read from him, but it's interesting. He gives the reader a look at what's going on in the Middle East. He interviews heads of state, as well. The author has dual citizenship (US and Israel), so it's interesting to see his perspective on things.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
April 9, 2023
The author, of whose previous work I was completely unaware, gives the reader a master class in executive networking. There is also a lot of interesting facts in the work that you'll never hear from the "mainstream" media due to its bias against sane logic.
I don't necessarily share the author's eschatological viewpoint but I'm still glad I read the book to get a briefing on some of the key players in today's near east.
I don't necessarily share the author's eschatological viewpoint but I'm still glad I read the book to get a briefing on some of the key players in today's near east.
December 23, 2021
A fairly enjoyable read with lots of information about the moderate Muslim leaders and their friendship with Christians and Jews.
It is blunt and optimistic with plenty of interesting facts and stories.
It is blunt and optimistic with plenty of interesting facts and stories.
April 6, 2023
Suprisingly enlightening. I do not hold to much of JR politics nor evangelical faith, and he is a bragger, but the book has unique insight into Middle East politics and a path toward peace. This has been a good education into a region of the world that is volatile, important and pivotal.
August 9, 2023
Nothing more than a religious screed meant to sway opinion in favor of tyrants, monarchs, and other assorted authoritarian types. If you want a celebration of the worst in humanity, start with this drivel.
June 1, 2021
For twenty years, Joel Rosenberg has had his finger on the pulse of the Middle East. His fiction career began with The Last Jihad where the opening scene depicts terrorists hijacking an airplane—published nine months before 9/11. The Third Target had its mid-2015 release date pushed up by a few months because the book’s mostly obscure antagonists—a group calling themselves ISIS—had suddenly burst onto the scene in reality. His fiction has been so prescient that it’s opened doors into some real-life halls of power. Enemies and Allies is the story of those conversations.
To give one example of what I mean, it was Rosenberg’s fiction that led to a friendship with the King of Jordan. A consultant to the king picked up one of Rosenberg’s books in an airport, not knowing that a fictionalized version of his boss was heavily featured (or that the Jordanian palace would be bombed). He gave a copy to the king and things moved into place from there. Next thing you know, Rosenberg is a leading a delegation of evangelical Christians for a series of meetings with the king and his senior staff.
Perhaps the most exclusive part of Enemies and Allies is Rosenberg’s interview with Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), the crown prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. MBS does not typically speak to Western media and no Western biographies of him actually contain interviews with him. Rosenberg spends three chapters on his experiences in Saudi Arabia and conversations with MBS.
Other figures that Rosenberg interviews include Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, king of the United Arab Emirates Mohammad bin Zayed, Jordanian King Abdullah II, American President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. These interviews range from the casual and friendly to the formal and limited.
One criticism that I do have is that many of the interviews lack substance or critical analysis. Rosenberg is usually content to report what was said without scrutinizing it or offering critical commentary. The most egregious and well-known instance of this is simply accepting that MBS had nothing to do with the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, and highlighting Khashoggi’s friendly past with Muslim extremists. I understand that Rosenberg likely has to be very careful about his portrayal of controversial figures, but those who are wanting hard-hitting journalism that incisively critiques and comments on the claims are going to be left wanting.
It’s not that Rosenberg and his team only offer softball questions. Some are very pointed and contentious, though always polite. But little more is done than to simply report the answers as given. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it’s important to note that the book is more memoir than political expose.
Enemies and Allies offers a look into the Middle East that many readers haven’t seen before. It has an obvious bias toward Israel and Saudi Arabia and against Palestine. Rosenberg also speaks out in support of Jordan and Egypt and against Iran, but those criticisms are more well-founded. Rosenberg’s limitations are that he only features leaders and nations he has interviewed, so key pieces—like chapters on Palestine and Iran—are conspicuously absent.
Enemies and Allies is sure to have its uncritical fans and immediate detractors. While Rosenberg does seem to push the evangelical narrative, he’s open and honest about it. I do wish that he had played a bit more hardball with some interviews, that they had a bit more substance, and that he hadn’t felt the need to hype his entire team for every interview. At the same point, I do understand the political intricacies of doing reporting like this and understand that not everything is on the record. My biggest personal takeaway was a better understanding of el-Sisi in Egypt and the Obama administration’s unfortunate connection with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The most important aspect of Enemies and Allies is how it humanizes many of the current leaders of the Middle East, helping readers see them as real people and not vague stereotypes or caricatures. I’m hopeful that this book will help evangelical Christian readers understand the Middle East in a deeper and more impactful way.
To give one example of what I mean, it was Rosenberg’s fiction that led to a friendship with the King of Jordan. A consultant to the king picked up one of Rosenberg’s books in an airport, not knowing that a fictionalized version of his boss was heavily featured (or that the Jordanian palace would be bombed). He gave a copy to the king and things moved into place from there. Next thing you know, Rosenberg is a leading a delegation of evangelical Christians for a series of meetings with the king and his senior staff.
Perhaps the most exclusive part of Enemies and Allies is Rosenberg’s interview with Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), the crown prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. MBS does not typically speak to Western media and no Western biographies of him actually contain interviews with him. Rosenberg spends three chapters on his experiences in Saudi Arabia and conversations with MBS.
Other figures that Rosenberg interviews include Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, king of the United Arab Emirates Mohammad bin Zayed, Jordanian King Abdullah II, American President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. These interviews range from the casual and friendly to the formal and limited.
One criticism that I do have is that many of the interviews lack substance or critical analysis. Rosenberg is usually content to report what was said without scrutinizing it or offering critical commentary. The most egregious and well-known instance of this is simply accepting that MBS had nothing to do with the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, and highlighting Khashoggi’s friendly past with Muslim extremists. I understand that Rosenberg likely has to be very careful about his portrayal of controversial figures, but those who are wanting hard-hitting journalism that incisively critiques and comments on the claims are going to be left wanting.
It’s not that Rosenberg and his team only offer softball questions. Some are very pointed and contentious, though always polite. But little more is done than to simply report the answers as given. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it’s important to note that the book is more memoir than political expose.
Enemies and Allies offers a look into the Middle East that many readers haven’t seen before. It has an obvious bias toward Israel and Saudi Arabia and against Palestine. Rosenberg also speaks out in support of Jordan and Egypt and against Iran, but those criticisms are more well-founded. Rosenberg’s limitations are that he only features leaders and nations he has interviewed, so key pieces—like chapters on Palestine and Iran—are conspicuously absent.
Enemies and Allies is sure to have its uncritical fans and immediate detractors. While Rosenberg does seem to push the evangelical narrative, he’s open and honest about it. I do wish that he had played a bit more hardball with some interviews, that they had a bit more substance, and that he hadn’t felt the need to hype his entire team for every interview. At the same point, I do understand the political intricacies of doing reporting like this and understand that not everything is on the record. My biggest personal takeaway was a better understanding of el-Sisi in Egypt and the Obama administration’s unfortunate connection with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The most important aspect of Enemies and Allies is how it humanizes many of the current leaders of the Middle East, helping readers see them as real people and not vague stereotypes or caricatures. I’m hopeful that this book will help evangelical Christian readers understand the Middle East in a deeper and more impactful way.
April 23, 2023
Suckered in by the captivating cover art that this was a political analysis on the Middle East, I quickly caught the ruse, got my $ back and decided to listen to the free library copy for research purposes. When I realized: “oh, ok, Israel Lobby takes the beacons of Muslim demonization evangelicals to the Middle East…hmmm, let’s see how they spin this.” A more authentic title could be: “How Hasbara Gaslit Americans to Condone Colonialization.” The way it played out: like the KKK Grand Wizard saying “see, I have one black friend!” (it's just Candace Owens, but WhAtEVr) and everyone rolls their eyes in discomfort as the wizard demands incessant praise and recognition.
Throughout the book Rosenberg almost monotonously praises “moderation”, “religious freedom” and justification – for Jews/Christians – obviously. Yet with so much hypocrisy that my eyes spun backwards, he took a cadre of old white men (no surprise)- absolute champions of anything but moderation: Jerry Johnson who manufactured fear that the US Dept of Education would enforce “Islam-friendly policies.” Wait, like actual fking religious freedom?! And good ole Jim Garlo, champion of pulpit preaching who “insists that pastors should be free to carry out political advocacy from the pulpit in defiance of IRS regulations.” Yet you DESPISE when Imams do the Same. Exact. Thing.
It was a full line-up of the best in repression of ‘the other’ – proud, long resumés in their politico-religious condemnation and excoriation of gays, books, critical thought, etc. My goodness, the double-speak is absolutely astounding. Rosenberg even tries to convince (those without a shred of critical thinking) that no, no they're just "innocent" evangelicals and NOT political operatives. This drivel of a book is chock full of factual errors, astounding mischaracterizations (which falls right in line with the Trump admin praising murderous authoritarian leaders - Putin, MBS, al Sisi) and predatory gaslighting to normalize the massacres of others so Big Daddy monied and powerful right-wing establishments will IGNORE the atrocities and apartheid in Israel. Evangelicals should be outraged at being fed this crap, being used to prop up the GOP to perpetuate extremism and anti-Muslim rhetoric, ethnic cleansing and religious colonialism with impunity by our umbilical cord. Ain't nobody gonna welcome the gospels wrapped up in pretty but drenched in colonialism.
Rosenberg only broaches the Palestinians about halfway through having pranced around the enormous elephant in the room. As he praised his access to MBZ, King Abdullah II, etc in “normalization” (read low-hanging fruit/”one black friend”) (and we evangelicals LOVE MBS who murders dissidents) he passingly eluded to Palestinians also having peace “when they’re ready.” GTFOH. Man, that’s like drunk uncle who stole your house, held your family at gunpoint and chained you to a bed for 20 years saying “why haven’t you left yet?” Nobody needs that mindfukery to justify their existence.
After droning passages about the setting of such state visits, Rosenberg pulled a real Mike Lindell saying “sorry, can’t tell ya what we talked about.” Like, wasn’t that the whole purpose of your book? If you’ve read this far, you got loads more political analysis than this book ever offers.
So I quit this ride before Rosenberg could try to convince me that his buddy Netanyahu is also some clean-ass “moderate” and took five showers to exorcise my brain from that chicanery he was trying to sell. This book is only useful for scholarly insight into the hasbara apparatus, examining the machinations of religious distortion and extremism, and how colonialism survives.
DNF at 45% - 6 looong hours, can't imagine he'll say anything revelatory in the next 8. Could NOT in good faith put this on my non-fiction shelf cause that'd be like saying Rush Limbaugh (hate speech extraordinaire) created "peace" and spoke truth. The fact that Rosenberg worked with that maniac tells you all you need to know about these "good people on both sides" BS. "Christian non-fiction" is just quasi-real, or just one-side of reality, apparently.
Throughout the book Rosenberg almost monotonously praises “moderation”, “religious freedom” and justification – for Jews/Christians – obviously. Yet with so much hypocrisy that my eyes spun backwards, he took a cadre of old white men (no surprise)- absolute champions of anything but moderation: Jerry Johnson who manufactured fear that the US Dept of Education would enforce “Islam-friendly policies.” Wait, like actual fking religious freedom?! And good ole Jim Garlo, champion of pulpit preaching who “insists that pastors should be free to carry out political advocacy from the pulpit in defiance of IRS regulations.” Yet you DESPISE when Imams do the Same. Exact. Thing.
It was a full line-up of the best in repression of ‘the other’ – proud, long resumés in their politico-religious condemnation and excoriation of gays, books, critical thought, etc. My goodness, the double-speak is absolutely astounding. Rosenberg even tries to convince (those without a shred of critical thinking) that no, no they're just "innocent" evangelicals and NOT political operatives. This drivel of a book is chock full of factual errors, astounding mischaracterizations (which falls right in line with the Trump admin praising murderous authoritarian leaders - Putin, MBS, al Sisi) and predatory gaslighting to normalize the massacres of others so Big Daddy monied and powerful right-wing establishments will IGNORE the atrocities and apartheid in Israel. Evangelicals should be outraged at being fed this crap, being used to prop up the GOP to perpetuate extremism and anti-Muslim rhetoric, ethnic cleansing and religious colonialism with impunity by our umbilical cord. Ain't nobody gonna welcome the gospels wrapped up in pretty but drenched in colonialism.
Rosenberg only broaches the Palestinians about halfway through having pranced around the enormous elephant in the room. As he praised his access to MBZ, King Abdullah II, etc in “normalization” (read low-hanging fruit/”one black friend”) (and we evangelicals LOVE MBS who murders dissidents) he passingly eluded to Palestinians also having peace “when they’re ready.” GTFOH. Man, that’s like drunk uncle who stole your house, held your family at gunpoint and chained you to a bed for 20 years saying “why haven’t you left yet?” Nobody needs that mindfukery to justify their existence.
After droning passages about the setting of such state visits, Rosenberg pulled a real Mike Lindell saying “sorry, can’t tell ya what we talked about.” Like, wasn’t that the whole purpose of your book? If you’ve read this far, you got loads more political analysis than this book ever offers.
So I quit this ride before Rosenberg could try to convince me that his buddy Netanyahu is also some clean-ass “moderate” and took five showers to exorcise my brain from that chicanery he was trying to sell. This book is only useful for scholarly insight into the hasbara apparatus, examining the machinations of religious distortion and extremism, and how colonialism survives.
DNF at 45% - 6 looong hours, can't imagine he'll say anything revelatory in the next 8. Could NOT in good faith put this on my non-fiction shelf cause that'd be like saying Rush Limbaugh (hate speech extraordinaire) created "peace" and spoke truth. The fact that Rosenberg worked with that maniac tells you all you need to know about these "good people on both sides" BS. "Christian non-fiction" is just quasi-real, or just one-side of reality, apparently.
April 4, 2025
Some interesting information, but not the depth/impact I expected
I have read Joel C. Rosenberg's fiction books, which always have an interesting premise, and a couple of his non-fiction, which have been hit and miss. This non-fiction book was largely a miss for me. While Joel's descriptions of his extraordinary meetings with middle east leaders is interesting and reveals some insights into a strong desire for peace in the middle east, there are two aspects of his descriptions that detracted from the book for me:
1. There was a lot of description of very mundane things, like how crammed his schedule was on multiple trips.
2. While Joel mentions in passing that many of the middle east leaders he met with have done some very bad things during their leadership, he does not provide any details on that aspect. He only provides details about the positive things being said by those leaders and officials. While this is very encouraging and insightful, such information being told to a group of Christian Evangelists is not the same as having these leaders say the same things publicly or speaking directly with world leaders that are not muslim. It comes across as seeing the situation through rose colored glasses, which may be appropriate and this is an historic time for change, or it may be overly optimistic.
I have read Joel C. Rosenberg's fiction books, which always have an interesting premise, and a couple of his non-fiction, which have been hit and miss. This non-fiction book was largely a miss for me. While Joel's descriptions of his extraordinary meetings with middle east leaders is interesting and reveals some insights into a strong desire for peace in the middle east, there are two aspects of his descriptions that detracted from the book for me:
1. There was a lot of description of very mundane things, like how crammed his schedule was on multiple trips.
2. While Joel mentions in passing that many of the middle east leaders he met with have done some very bad things during their leadership, he does not provide any details on that aspect. He only provides details about the positive things being said by those leaders and officials. While this is very encouraging and insightful, such information being told to a group of Christian Evangelists is not the same as having these leaders say the same things publicly or speaking directly with world leaders that are not muslim. It comes across as seeing the situation through rose colored glasses, which may be appropriate and this is an historic time for change, or it may be overly optimistic.
October 6, 2021
A big fan of Rosenberg's novels, I purchased a copy of Enemies and Allies after hearing the author speak at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, TN. I knew it was a book that would shed light on current events in the Middle East as no other could, and I was right.
Joel Rosenberg is a modern-day Issachar who understands the times and knows what Israel should do, and not just Israel, but Evangelical Christians in relation to this region of the world. As a person who lived twenty years in the Middle East and North Africa, I was very encouraged by Rosenberg's initiative, which is outlined in the book, to engage Arab leaders with Evangelical Christians for mutual understanding, friendship, and support. Not only do this book and his efforts help Christians better understand what is happening in the region but bring a balanced view of a complicated relationship that leads to more effective prayers and increased support for Christians in the region.
The book is easy to read, full of excellent footnotes and explanations, and a great resource for anyone wanting to not only pray for the peace of Jerusalem but learn how to better love their Muslim neighbors.
Joel Rosenberg is a modern-day Issachar who understands the times and knows what Israel should do, and not just Israel, but Evangelical Christians in relation to this region of the world. As a person who lived twenty years in the Middle East and North Africa, I was very encouraged by Rosenberg's initiative, which is outlined in the book, to engage Arab leaders with Evangelical Christians for mutual understanding, friendship, and support. Not only do this book and his efforts help Christians better understand what is happening in the region but bring a balanced view of a complicated relationship that leads to more effective prayers and increased support for Christians in the region.
The book is easy to read, full of excellent footnotes and explanations, and a great resource for anyone wanting to not only pray for the peace of Jerusalem but learn how to better love their Muslim neighbors.
August 1, 2021
Enemies and Allies by Joel Rosenberg is such a timely and interesting book. Rosenberg gives the reader insight to interviews he had and time he spent with key leaders in the Middle East as well as here in the US. Without including information of a sensitive nature from his interviews, he does give you a view of these men as leaders and citizens of the countries that they love, as well as a look at the dynamic of political power in this region of the world. As a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, he offers an interesting perspective of how the progress and setbacks in the Middle East cause actions and reactions world wide. You will enjoy the book! Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
September 8, 2021
In the book Enemies and Allies, author Joel Rosenberg writes about his involvement in the recent peace agreements between Arab/Muslim countries and Israel. Rosenberg, who is a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, writes about the many volatile situations in the Middle East and how recent American Presidential administrations have helped or hurt the peace process. As a current resident of Israel, Rosenberg gives unique insights into the conflicts and while no resolution is perfect, there is a great deal of behind the scenes progress. This was an incredible book with many private meetings now being made public. I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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