This riveting account explores the century-long intelligence war between Russia and the West, offering insights relevant to today's superpower tensions with China. It delves into espionage, election interference, disinformation, and sabotage, revealing that the West's challenges with Russia extend beyond Putin's regime. Utilizing previously secret archives and interviews with former agents, the narrative uncovers the historical context of the conflict, illustrating how espionage has been a crucial tool for the Kremlin to balance power against the West throughout the Cold War and beyond. The meddling in the 2016 US presidential election is portrayed as part of a longstanding strategy, not a new phenomenon. The Cold War's roots are traced back before 1945, highlighting the West's gradual response post-World War II, including propaganda efforts, intelligence network recruitment, and the development of innovative spy technologies. The story spans continents and decades, from St. Petersburg in 1917 to Normandy's beaches, and from global coups to contemporary Moscow, where social media is weaponized against democracies. This fresh perspective on history positions the narrative as a crucial addition to understanding the ongoing conflict between Russia, China, and the West, which is set to shape the twenty-first century.
