Inside The Epicenter With Joel Rosenberg

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode, host Joel Rosenberg is joined by Wall Street Journal editorial board member Elliot Kaufman, co-author of "In the War Room." Together, they offer a revealing look into Israel’s hardest wartime decisions following the October 7th attacks—exploring why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted striking Hezbollah, the heated debates among Israeli leaders, and the mounting pressure from the U.S. Kaufman shares exclusive reporting from inside Israel’s war room, showing how strategy, hesitation, and daring gambles determined the outcome of hostage negotiations and the evolving course of the war.

(00:00) Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot election battle
(03:22) Decision on Preemptive Attack
(07:20) Considering new military strategies
(11:50) Netanyahu's risky Doha airstrike
(16:33) Failed strike and peace implications
(17:31 )Trump's tactics with Qatar
(21:52) Inside Israel's War Room Decisions

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Bible verse of the day:
Proverbs 21:31- The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Prayer Request:

Pray for Israel's leaders and their military decision-makers as they make extraordinarily difficult choices involving national security, military operations, and relationships with Israel's allies. Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, courage, and restraint to know not only what actions to take, but when to take them.
Pray for the peace and security of Israel as the country continues to face threats from multiple directions. And pray for the families that have grieving loved ones who did not survive captivity as hostages and those that have been lost in these last three years.

Related Episodes:
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot Pt.1 #391
EXCLUSIVE: Benny Gantz - Three Years Since October 7 and Leading Through Crisis #390
Special Episode - Unpacking the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt #389
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381
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Joel speaks with Yonah Jeremy Bob, senior military correspondent for The Jerusalem Post. and co-author of the new book "In the War Room.
This is the first in a multi-part series. Together, they go behind the scenes of Israel's war cabinet after October 7th, exploring the fierce personal and ideological clashes between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his now-chief political rival, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot — and what those clashes reveal just weeks before Israel's October 27th elections.
(00:00) What really happened behind closed doors after October 7th
(01:36) Introducing "In the War Room" and its exclusive access to Netanyahu, Gallant, Gantz, and Eisenkot
(05:35) Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot: two starkly different leadership styles
(08:25) The cast of characters: deep distrust between Gallant, Gantz, and Netanyahu
(10:14) The pre-October 7th firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
(12:12) Bible verse and prayer for Israel's leaders
(13:09) The Rafah decision: Biden, Harris, and the push to end the war early
(16:25) Netanyahu's case for finishing the job
(19:09) How this history could shape the 2026 election battle
(19:41) Personal sacrifice: Gadi Eisenkot's son and nephews killed in Gaza
(22:27) Closing thoughts

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Bible verse of the day:
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

Prayer Request:
1. Pray for Israel's leaders and national decision-makers as they carry enormous responsibility for security, diplomacy, and the future of the country — ask the Lord to give them wisdom, humility, and discernment.
2. Pray for unity among Israel's leaders during this time of national crisis, that they would place the good of the nation above political or personal differences.
3. Pray for Israeli families who have lost loved ones, that the Lord would strengthen those whose family members continue to serve and bring healing to a nation carrying the wounds of war.

Related Episodes:
Inside the Epicenter #388: Benny Gantz
Inside the Epicenter #367: Part Two — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Inside the Epicenter #359: Ceasefire — Iran War Update

Join us in Israel in 2027
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Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, we mark three years since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack with special guest Benny Gantz, Israel’s former Defense Minister and alternate Prime Minister. Gantz shares what it was like inside Israel’s war room, the challenges of unity among political rivals, the heated debates over strategy, and the personal cost of war. He also offers a special message to evangelical Christians considering a visit to Israel. Join us for an insider’s perspective on crisis leadership and faith amid conflict.

(00:02) Inside Israel's election tensions
(03:06) Discussing Israeli leadership dynamics
(07:00) Netanyahu and Unity Government Dynamics
(12:32) War room strategy discussions
(15:09) Discussing a past unique crisis
(18:19) Addressing criticisms and misunderstandings
(20:49) Reflecting on Psalm 121 for Israel
(26:34) Forming emergency unity government
(27:54) Interview with a key decision-maker

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Bible verse of the day:
Psalm 121: 1- 4. I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Prayer Request:
Pray for Israel as they are fatigued, as they are wondering when normalcy will return. And pray with us that they would cry out in these same words of David, that they would have the same heart as the shepherd king David, that they would lift up their eyes to the hills, that they would look to the Lord, that they would ask Him for His protection, and that they would turn to know their God, the God who keeps Israel.
Related Episodes:
The Mecca Pact: Is Saudi Arabia Turning Away from Israel? #386
Bye-Bye Bibi? Israel's Most Consequential Election in Decades #385
Raising Up Israel's Next Generation: The Story of Netivah #382
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381

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Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, Joel Rosenberg and Lynn Rosenberg unpack the astonishing story of the recent FlyDubai hijacking attempt on a flight headed to Tel Aviv. With families returning from holiday and 174 lives at stake, chaos erupted as a co-pilot tried to seize control midair. The hosts reveal the heroism of passengers and crew, the swift military response, and the series of miracles that prevented disaster. Join Joel Rosenberg and Lynn Rosenberg as they discuss the significance of this event for Israel’s security, regional peace, and spiritual resilience.

(00:02) Intercepting hijacked plane over Israel
(03:39) Israel's security improvements
(08:39) Pilot Smit's heroic actions
(12:19) Plumber's heroic act during attack
(15:02) Potential aerial conflict incident
(18:09) Am Yisrael Chai discussion
(22:16) Emergency codes and Israeli response
(24:10) Flying during conflict and Middle East tensions
(30:24) Praying for plane incident survivors
(32:35) Reflecting on Sukkot's significance
(36:18) Praying for unity and strength

Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
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Bible verse of the day:
Psalm 121:1-2. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Prayer Request:
Prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving that the God of Israel never slumbers or sleeps, that He is always on the job, and that He is always watching over the Israeli people and His people.
Let's pray that the Israelis would recognize that, would recognize that the God of Israel is who they should be turning to, who they should be thankful to, who they should be calling out to, to reveal Himself to them, that they would get comfort from the Lord, and that they would worship the Lord.
Related Episodes:
Audacious Prayers for the Epicenter #387
The Mecca Pact: Is Saudi Arabia Turning Away from Israel? #386
What is Happening? The Staggering Shift of Muslims to Christianity #384
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381

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Welcome to Inside the Epicenter with Joel Rosenberg and Lynn Rosenberg, brought to you by the Joshua Fund. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, Joel Rosenberg speaks with Dr. Imad Shehada, founder of the Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS), about how God is equipping the next generation of pastors and church leaders in the Middle East. Discover how JETS is training men and women from across the region to face cultural, political, and spiritual challenges, and hear inspiring stories of how biblical leadership is fueling a spiritual awakening in one of the world’s most complex regions.

(00:02) Equipping Middle Eastern church leaders
(05:15) Biblical sites in Jordan
(07:37) Meeting King Abdullah II of Jordan
(11:35) Believing in the whole Bible
(14:08) Literal vs. figurative interpretation
(16:50) Raising new church leaders

Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
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Bible verse of the day:
Matthew 9:37-38 - He then said to his disciples, the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest

Prayer Request:
Pray for Dr. Imad Shehadeh, the faculty, staff, and students of the Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary as they faithfully prepare pastors and ministry leaders to serve throughout the Middle East. Ask God to grant them wisdom, protection, and abundant resources for their ministry. And also pray for the next generation of church leaders across the Middle East.
Ask the Lord to call more men and women into the ministry, strengthen those who already are serving, and empower them through the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the gospel despite opposition and hardship

Related Episodes:

How Local Churches in Israel Bring Hope and Practical Help #34
Stories of Faith and Resilience in Crisis from Inside the Epicenter #341
Evangelical Pastors Join Forces with Israel for a Meaningful Mission #277
Arab Pastor’s Life-Altering Mission Among Israelis and Palestinians #23
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