R. Reed Anderson

Quite an eye opener when it comes to relations between NATO and Russia. Of course content is made partly obsolete due to the events in last two years and here I include 2016 election tirade (definitely did not age well). Major differences I see are:
- Talk about the freedom speech and population control in Russia, did not age well. Reason you might ask? Well, pandemic I guess and hard lock on free speech and any deviation from the official story-line enforced in every Western country (with show more usual demonization and calling people H names, shutting them down and even beating them when protesting). West basically became China when it comes to suppressing discontent, I am just waiting for the variant of the Great Firewall of the West.
- Inability of separating modern day Russia from Soviet Union. Constant talk (I guess from 1980's that author's cannot shake off) about people not knowing about western style of living etc. Very ignorant from the authors I have to admit because Russians do travel around, visit West, even live in the West. So to say they are not aware of the western way of living is funny, very funny. Now when it comes to colored revolutions, authors are again in mode, "who, West did it?", which is strange to say the least. But I guess one more opportunity to say, those paranoid Russians :)
- Making Russia's attempt to protect their citizens living in neighbor countries look like a sinister motive. I will just say, isn't it policy of every Western country, especially US, to do whatever is required to protect their citizens? I mean few days back four US citizens were kidnapped by the Mexican drug cartel. This was [and still is] seen by some US politicians as a legit reason to move into Mexico with military whether Mexico likes it or not. So.... double standards? Again?
- As always, we do not understand why Russia is reacting to the spread of EU and NATO to its borders. But when Russia flexes muscles and tries to have influence over its neighbors it is OMG situation. I love these "only our direction is good direction" approaches.
- Suggestion to open talks with Russia. Almost every chapter holds this as important element to evade escalation. Include diplomacy, open talks. Well, something happened in the meantime because that is one thing that was torpedoed from the day one when war started and is still something that EU, NATO and US are insisting on - no negotiations. Today this "hardcore" policy has entire world .... well, lets say Europe, I dont think US are that disturbed, hoping nuclear blasts do not start decorating the horizon. But hey, it is for the cause, right, keep on fighting 'til the last man and then just move to another country, lots of vassals around.
- Utter and complete complex when it comes to Putin. West needs boogeyman but this is ridiculous.
- Constant move towards Baltic. I have a feeling that entire work tried very very hard to avoid Ukraine as a possible hot spot with it only popping up here and there as part of military advisory assistance and training (heh, now that sounds very familiar doesn't it?). Instead of Ukraine, Baltic is in focus here, series of small countries that for all means and purposes play no role unless full war with NATO takes place, and even then it might be a question. Unlike Ukraine they border with two major NATO countries, Germany and Poland so doing anything there is crazy stuff (not to mention very countries are in NATO). Is it possible that authors weren't aware of this? Very unlikely and thus this makes this work even more interesting.

Book indicates that there were plans in regard to Ukraine - very lack of mentioning this hot spot in the entire book and focusing solely on Baltic states is indicative of this. Hopefully some future historical book will give more background on this.

Very interesting book. Recommended to anyone following current political and military events in the world. show less