This book demonstrates that Russia intends to re-emerge as a full-fledged
superpower before 2010--challenging America and China and potentially
threatening a new arms race. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this goal would
appear to be easily within the Kremlin's grasp, but the cost to the Russian
people and global security would be immense. Hence, Steven Rosefielde proposes a
sophisticated strategy to dissuade President Vladimir Putin from pursuing the
destabilizing course. His analysis conflicts with the post-cold-war image of the
Soviet Union as a westernizing, mass consumption society committed to "peaceful
coexistence."