As we begin this new year, I’d like start by thanking each of you who read this blog and share it with others. Based on the emails and Tweets I receive, I know many of you come for geopolitical news, analysis and commentary regarding Israel, the Middle East, other international issues. Others come to the blog for analysis of faith and spiritual issues and trends. Many also check in for updates on my novels and non-fiction books and media appearances, and some for all of the above.

Whatever your reasons, thank you for reading.

Traffic in 2012 topped 4.8 million. That was up 19% over 2011, and up 40% over 2009 (the first full year I used WordPress).

• 2012 — 4,811,184 visits
• 2011 — 4,030,300
• 2010 — 3,264,916
• 2009 — 3,430,719

You can comment on any of these posts on my Epicenter Team page on Facebook. You can also track the news stories I’m reading and keep up with details related to my novels by following me on Twitter — @joelcrosenberg.