War with Russia

A chilling political thriller that is dangerously close to becoming reality According to General Sir Richard Shirreff, recently retired Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe we are already at war with Russia. Putin is waging war by unconventional means, including sponsoring terrorist attacks in Ukraine and in the UK and also cyber warfare. This book shows how war with Russia could erupt into conventional warfare with the bloodiest and most appalling consequences if the necessary steps are not taken urgently. As Admiral James G Stavridis, US Navy, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, says 'You fail to read this book at your peril. Like any 'strongman', the Russian president's reputation for strength is everything. Lose momentum, fail to give the people what they want and he fails. Putin has already demonstrated that he has no intention of failing. He has already started a lethal dynamic which, unless checked right now, could see him invade the Baltic states. Russia's invasion and seizure of Georgia in 2008 was our 'Rhineland moment'. We ignored the warning signs - as we did back in the 1930s - and we made it 'business as usual'. Crimea in 2014 was the President's 'Sudetenland moment' and again he got away with it. Since 2014 Russia has invaded Ukraine. The Baltics could be next. Our political leaders assume that nuclear deterrence will save us. General Sir Richard Shirreff shows us why this will not wash.

Rarely has as a figure as senior as Sir Richard Shirreff, dared to put his name to as ominous a contingency history as one pictured in 2017 War With Russia. It can't happen? Just like the Anschluss of Crimea, or Brexit? Russia is again ruled by one man alone and President Putin has proved capable of gambling with the fate of his country and peace in Europe. In the guise of fast-paced novel, General Shirreff shows how it could actually be done: the disinformation, the subversion, the order of battle. And how woefully unprepared the free world would be to stand up to such a challenge. His warning should be read not only by anyone interested in fate of the West but, above all, by politicians whose decisions on defence determine our options in future emergencies.

Préface
The chilling political thriller dangerously close to becoming reality

Auteur

Born in Kenya in 1955 where he spent his early years, Richard Shirreff commissioned into the British Army as a cavalry officer after reading history at Oxford. In his 37 years of service he commanded soldiers on operations from the most junior to the most senior levels. He saw combat as a tank commander in the First Gulf War, experienced many of the complexities of Northern Ireland during his three tours there and learned first-hand the challenges of bringing peace to the Balkans in both Kosovo and Bosnia. He returned to Iraq as a multinational commander in 2006-7. When not in command he spent time either being educated in the art and science of war on a succession of different command and staff courses or in a range of posts as a formulator or executor of policy in the Ministry of Defence and Army Headquarters. His last seven years in uniform were spent in two senior NATO command posts: Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe; the Alliance's deputy strategic commander and the most senior British general in the Alliance.

Since leaving the Army he has set up Strategia Worldwide, a risk management consultancy.

Texte du rabat

A menacing account of the threat posed by Russia, and the danger of where we are heading if we fail to recognise this threat.

Résumé

The chilling political thriller dangerously close to becoming reality

'This is key reading. Full of foresight, by General turned prophet.' Dr. Peter Caddick-Adams

'Make no mistake: if Russia marches into the Baltics it means nuclear war.' Damian Whitworth, The Times

'The authenticity of the high-level crisis talks within Nato which Shirreff attended in his past life, is so palpable that it lands this book like a 22lb bass. This and the foreword are reasons enough to buy a copy.' The Express

'The best piece of super power military fiction since Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October. Enjoy this riot of a book. And be very afraid - it really could happen like this.' Robert Fox, Evening Standard

'This piece of "faction" is billed as an urgent warning - it's also an act of near mutiny.' Michael Burleigh, The Times

'A must read...Shirreff's warnings - veiled as fiction - ring with authenticity, rich in technical details and insight.' General Wesley K. Clark, US Army, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe

The chilling political thriller dangerously close to becoming reality

According to General Sir Richard Shirreff, recently retired Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe we are already at war with Russia. Putin is waging war by unconventional means: terrorist attacks in Ukraine and in the UK and cyber warfare. This book shows how war with Russia could erupt into conventional warfare with the bloodiest and most appalling consequences. As Admiral James G Stavridis, US Navy, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, says 'You fail to read this book at your peril.'

Putin has already started a lethal dynamic which, unless checked right now, could see him invade the Baltic states.

Russia's invasion and seizure of Georgia in 2008 was our 'Rhineland moment'. We ignored the warning signs - as we did back in the 1930s. Crimea in 2014 was the President's 'Sudetenland moment' and again he got away with it. Since 2014 Russia has invaded Ukraine. The Baltics could be next.

Our political leaders assume that nuclear deterrence will save us. General Sir Richard Shirreff shows us why this will not wash.