The J.B. Collins Collection by Joel C. Rosenberg

This J.B. Collins collection left me speechless. 

This was only my 2nd time reading a series by American-Israeli author Joel C. Rosenberg, and so far, it's my favorite. So real, so thrilling, so full of rich detail and insight into the Middle East. It felt like I was reading events that could have been ripped from the headlines of a slightly alternate reality, especially considering all that has happened in the real world since the first book's publication in 2015.

I don't want to go too in depth into the series in this review because I want to leave it for you to discover yourself. But, here is a quote that stood out to me from the first 1st book, The Third Target. In it, the main character, J.B. Collins, a reporter for the New York Times, is speaking with the King of Jordan. The main reason why I want to highlight it isn't really because of the story, but because of something new I learned about Jordan: 

"It is not widely known in the West, but we have in Jordan a small but thriving Christian community that is perhaps the oldest in the world. The place where Jesus was baptized is Jordan's most important Christian site. It is here on the east bank of the Jordan River. This is where Jesus' mission started. This is where Christianity began. Jordan is also where Moses lived and died. This is where Elijah the prophet was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. There is so much rich history here...." page 334.

Basically, now I want to go to Jordan to see these places myself!

But, back to the point of this post: this 3-book series. If you love military-action thriller series', it will not disappoint! Click here to find it on Amazon!

The Marcus Ryker Series by Joel C. Rosenberg

Speaking of peace treaties between Israel and Muslim nations, have you read the Marcus Ryker Series by American-Israeli author, Joel C. Rosenberg?

I just discovered this author in January, so reading these books were a lot of fun! Actually, I only read the first 3 because The Beirut Protocol does not release until March 9 (and I really hope that is the last book in the series, because I want to know what happens!).

It's been incredible to read, however, because it's like seeing the pages of current events and recent history come to life, but in a different way, as Rosenberg clearly states in author's notes that these are works of fiction. However, throughout the novels are references (and events related to) the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, a real-life event. Book 2, The Persian Gamble , talks about a close relationship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (this was written and published in 2019, well before the real-life August 2020 peace treaty). And then, Book 3, The Jerusalem Assassin, not only is set mostly in Israel, but deals with the topic of a possibly peace treaty between.... get this.... Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

Written long before its publication date, the author had no way of knowing officially of all the peace deals that have happened since August 2020. However, I would say that the most shocking of all would be one with Saudi Arabia, and Rosenberg totally went for it in this series. I am so here for this! And now I have to wait for Book 4, which seems cruel, haha. 

If you love political and military action fiction set in real-time, then this series might be for you! You can find all of Joel C. Rosenberg's books here on Amazon... needless to say, I'm going to be reading a lot more of his novels!

Historic Peace Treaty between Israel and Kosovo!

 Did you see this?

Kosovo, in what was predicted in 2020, is now officially normalizing ties with Israel! However, this is especially significant, because Kosovo is a Muslim state that will put their embassy in Jerusalem (effectively recognizing Jerusalem as the capital), while the countries who normalized relations with Israel in 2020 put their embassies in Tel Aviv (still a big deal!). 

In fact, Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel says this of this historic news: Although it is officially a secular state, the population is 96% Sunni Muslim. Thus, this is another example of a Jewish and an Islamic nation coming together in peace.

 
As a result of normalizing their relationship, Israel and Kosovo anticipate swapping embassies in the near future. This is where a double miracle is revealed. First, when the Kosovo embassy opens, it will be in Jerusalem. Imagine that – a Muslim country placing its embassy in the holy city of Jerusalem. Bahrain and the UAE have established embassies, but theirs are in Tel Aviv. Kosovo, however, is recognizing Jerusalem as the true capital of the Jewish nation. The second miracle is the fact that Kosovo, as a European country, has chosen Jerusalem for their embassy. This goes firmly against the stand of the European Union (EU). Kosovo is taking a major risk by making this move. They have been approved as one of six Western Balkan countries to potentially achieve accession to EU membership in 2025. Placing their embassy in Jerusalem could put this placement in jeopardy.

Wow!

I honestly wondered if the normalizing of relationships between Israel and Muslim States would end after January 20, 2021, because these were brokered by President Trump, and President Biden's agenda for the Middle East is different. I'm thankful this one continued on!

What do you think of this latest news? Please let me know in the comments below!

Historic Peace Treaty between Israel & Morocco (& normalization with Bhutan)!

 Did you see the latest news about Israel?

Morocco has become the 4th Arab nation to establish normalization ties with Israel since August! WOW! This includes the establishment of embassies and flights opened to/from these nations. 

Saudi Arabia, while not having a peace deal yet, is allowing Israeli flights over its airspace. Could they become the next one?

And then today, the East Asian nation of Bhutan has also agreed to normalization of relations between itself and Israel. According to the Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the development, calling it an "additional fruit of the peace agreements" and that there are other countries also want to normalize ties with Israel.

WOW!

So, just to sum up... since the establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948, before 2020, only 2 Arab countries had established ties with Israel: Egypt (1967) and Jordan (1994). Since August 2020, 4 other Arab countries have established normalization ties with Israel: UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and now Morocco. 

AMAZING!!! I never thought I'd see something like this. We truly live in historic times!

Historic Peace Treaty between Israel and Sudan

 Did you see this?

On October 24, the US, Israel, and Sudan announced a 3rd history peace treaty- agreement to normalization- between Israel and an Arab country. Since this is only the 5th ever, but the 3rd agreement reached in about 2 months' time, this is a BIG DEAL. '

And it's estimated that there are about 5 more countries in line for their own agreement. This likely will not happen until after the US election on November 3, as these deals were brokered by the US. However, of these 5 countries, we know that Oman is one, and 2 others are rumored to be: Saudi Arabia and Iraq! WOW!!! (Click on the links to see articles referencing this).

We are definitely living in historic times!

In other news, Israel just finished their 2nd major lockdown of 2020, which lasted a month this time and ended on Oct 18. Thankfully, their rate of COVID-19 has lowered significantly, and they are slowly starting to re-open. In fact, they will start human trials for a vaccine on Nov 1, and together in coordinated efforts with India, have created a rapid (and accurate) test for COVID-19 that hopefully will be ready soon. There are such high hopes for it that it is called "open skies", because, as the Israeli Ambassdor to India, Ron Malka, said: "[This vaccine] will be good news for the entire world. Until we manage to immunize the entire population, this joint operation, which we had named ‘open skies’, would literally open the skies in terms of international travel and other economic activities as this can be used at airports and other places by requiring a person just to blow into a tube and the result would be available in 30-40-50 seconds" (quote from this Behold Israel article).

Here's open borders everywhere will be able to safely open soon! 

Historic Peace Treaty between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain

 Did you hear the news?!

On September 11, 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain agreed to normalize relations with Israel, joining the United Arab Emirates with their own historic peace deal. THIS IS SO BIG! As the Times of Israel pointed out: "For Israel, after 2 peace treaties in 72 years, there have now been 2 in a month."

That's not all!

• Eastern European country Kosovo, a Muslim majority country, announced a normalization of diplomatic ties with Israel, and will establish an embassy in Jerusalem. Its neighbor, Serbia, is also moving its embassy to Jerusalem.
• Malawi will become the first African nation to place its embassy to Jerusalem.
• Israel is in talks with Central Africa country Chad about possibly opening an embassy in Jerusalem.

WOW! Even though I knew the Bahrain deal was coming, I still am so amazed! What an historic time to be living in! 

What do you think about these latest events in the Middle East? Please let me know in a comment below!