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The Russia trap : how our shadow war with Russia could spiral into nuclear catastrophe / George S. Beebe.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: New York : Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press, [2019]Edition: First editionDescription: xxii, 216 pages ; 25 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781250316622
  • 1250316626
Subject(s):
Contents:
Part 1. Analysis: Understanding the problem -- War by other means -- Deadly perceptions -- Brake failure -- Triggers -- Part 2. Synthesis: managing the problem -- Escaping the simplicity trap -- Absorbing shocks -- Working the system -- Conclusion.
Summary: "A former head of CIA's Russia analysis shows how Washington and Moscow may be headed toward nuclear annihilation. After years of unsuccessful post-Cold War efforts to forge a cooperative relationship, it is now clear that the U.S. and Russia have become competitors, not partners--no matter what some politicians would have the American public believe. And this competition is quickly spiraling into enmity thanks to new strategic weapons, shifts in world power, and unsettled regional conflicts. Meanwhile, the rules that kept the Cold War from getting hot no longer apply. The inherent advantages of cyber attackers over cyber defense are incentivizing aggression and fueling feelings of vulnerability. And the arms control regimes and deterrence strategies that once contained dangers are ironically stoking mistrust between the U.S. and Russia. Americans don't worry about nuclear war the way they did thirty years ago. But they should because the danger has become even greater today. Beebe's terrifying but essential new work allows us to face this reality--and, in doing so, to take steps to divert the world from this path."--Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library NonFiction 327.7304 B414 Available 33111009700481
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"A must read for anyone who cares about our nation's security in these cyber-serious, hair-trigger times." - Susan Eisenhower

Every American president since the end of the Cold War has called for better relations with Russia. But each has seen relations get worse by the time he left office. Now the two countries are facing off in a virtual war being fought without clear goals or boundaries.

Why? Many say it is because Washington has been slow to wake up to Russian efforts to destroy democracy in America and the world.

But a former head of Russia analysis at the CIA says that this misunderstands the problem. George Beebe argues that new game-changing technologies, disappearing rules of the game, and distorted perceptions on both sides are combining to lock Washington and Moscow into an escalatory spiral that they do not recognize. All the pieces are in place for a World War I-type tragedy that could be triggered by a small, unpredictable event. The Russia Trap shows that anticipating this danger is the most important step in preventing it.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. Analysis: Understanding the problem -- War by other means -- Deadly perceptions -- Brake failure -- Triggers -- Part 2. Synthesis: managing the problem -- Escaping the simplicity trap -- Absorbing shocks -- Working the system -- Conclusion.

"A former head of CIA's Russia analysis shows how Washington and Moscow may be headed toward nuclear annihilation. After years of unsuccessful post-Cold War efforts to forge a cooperative relationship, it is now clear that the U.S. and Russia have become competitors, not partners--no matter what some politicians would have the American public believe. And this competition is quickly spiraling into enmity thanks to new strategic weapons, shifts in world power, and unsettled regional conflicts. Meanwhile, the rules that kept the Cold War from getting hot no longer apply. The inherent advantages of cyber attackers over cyber defense are incentivizing aggression and fueling feelings of vulnerability. And the arms control regimes and deterrence strategies that once contained dangers are ironically stoking mistrust between the U.S. and Russia. Americans don't worry about nuclear war the way they did thirty years ago. But they should because the danger has become even greater today. Beebe's terrifying but essential new work allows us to face this reality--and, in doing so, to take steps to divert the world from this path."--Provided by publisher.

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