Rebecca Bauer, secretary of state of the United States. A non-denominational Christian, she served as a Methodist missionary in Asia, became a professor of Asian Studies, and a leading foreign policy expert. The compatibility of their religious beliefs made her the president’s choice as his secretary of state. Involved in the intrigues of Middle Eastern politics for the first time in her career and with nuclear war in the balance, she must cast the deciding voice between the president of the United States and the director of the CIA.

Vladimir Benkovsky and Yuri Golovnia, two Russian nuclear engineers who lost their jobs when the Cold War ended and Russian nuclear plants were closed. Now they need money and want to use their nuclear expertise to get some.

James Caufield, president of the United States. A former career Air Force officer, Member of Congress and evangelical Christian who believes that the Holy Land must be protected at all costs in order to fulfill the biblical prophecies about the Second Coming of Christ.

Fatima, a beautiful, young Palestinian woman from Gaza who works in an Israeli salon to earn money for her financially desperate family. She must choose between the conservative religious rules of her Muslim parents and her desire to be a modern woman, which includes political activity with her brother.

Alexander Goloskin, president of Gazprom, the Russian national energy conglomerate which in 2006 became the fifth largest company in the world. As the chief puppeteer and powerbroker behind Russian government leaders, he wants to dominate the global oil markets and make Russia the world's sole superpower.

Shlomo Helfein, deputy director of the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. An immigrant from Eastern Europe, he worked his way to the top of the military intelligence apparatus of Israel and then into the Mossad to become one of its most wily and hard-hearted leaders.

Daniel Hennessy, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, in charge of overseas operations. A young, rising star in the CIA tasked with finding out where the loyalties of the Israelis lie.

Leonid Kamerov, foreign minister of Russia. An ignorant peasant who rose to the top leadership of Russia by being a member of the Communist Party and who struggles to sustain his leadership position in the new, capitalistic Russia through political intrigue.

King Abdul Khalid, 78-year-old king of Saudi Arabia. A calm, cautious leader whose family ties to the founders of Saudi Arabia and the Wahhabi religious sect have put him into the position of needing to decide if the fate of the country should be secular or religious.

Prince Habib Khalid, director of the General Intelligence Department, the Saudi Arabia intelligence service. His job is to protect the Royal Family from foreign and domestic enemies, including religious zealots.

Vladimir Krukov, director of Russia's Federal Investigative Service (former KGB). Machiavellian and ruthless, he wants to permanently cripple the United States and reassert the global power of Mother Russia.

Rob Lohman, station chief of the Central Intelligence Agency office in Israel. A young, idealistic espionage official, he is caught between his deadly operational responsibilities to the CIA and his love for a beautiful woman.

Avi Mahlberg, Israeli spy and assassin. A trained member of the Savak, the Iranian secret police, until the fall of the shah. He emigrated to Israel and was recruited by the Mossad, but has conflicting agendas involving Iran and Israel.

Sean Mansfield, deputy director of MI6, the British foreign intelligence service. A friend and advisor to Michael Reilly, director of the CIA.

Aaron Miller, secretary of defense of the United States. He shares President Caufield's geo-strategic views on the Middle East and is one of the president's most important allies.

Claudine Montaigne, sensuous and sophisticated French girl friend of CIA agent Rob Lohman. She resides in France and eagerly awaits each rendezvous with her American lover.

Abdul Nasser, a young Palestinian who turns to acts of terrorism against the Israelis.

Boris Nimnogo, Russian intelligence officer in Saudi Arabia. His insecurities lead him to become a vicious assassin.

Nathaniel Penn, Central Intelligence Agency agent in Saudi Arabia.

Michael Reilly, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and personal friend of President Caufield. A former professor and agnostic who carefully analyses the interplay of the three religions seeking dominance in the Middle East. He must locate two nuclear devices planted in the Middle East, find out who placed them, and stop them before they detonate.

Rafi Sahedi, foreign minister of Iran. A sophisticated, educated member of the power elite who is hostile to Israel and seeks to reestablish the Persian Empire through Iran's enormous oil and gas resources.

Hassan Sakir, foreign minister of Iraq. A kindly member of the hierarchy of Iraq struggling to keep the country from being controlled by either Iran or the United States.

Moshe Shamron, prime minister of Israel. A political leader whose purpose is to preserve Israel and ensure that the Jewish state remain the only nuclear power in the Middle East.