The world froze in horror as Russian forces crossed the frontline and struck out deeper into the heart of Ukraine. The roaring of the Russian fighter jet engines soared through the skies of Kharkiv, and Kyiv's air raid sirens screeched across the city. Europe was in shock and the world waited for American President Joe Biden to declare war against Russia. However, Biden held back, and the Third World War was diverted. This was the closest incident the world had experienced in which a nuclear exchange was narrowly diverted since the dangerous days of the previous century. Nevertheless, it quickly became apparent that a new Cold War had begun. At the heart of the narrative is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has become a catalyst for a broader global struggle between Russia and the West, reverberating across Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and even the domestic terrain of America. The West's evolving relationship with Russia, China, and Iran has sparked a new era of tension, confronting the reader with the increasingly complex and polarized international landscape. The author focuses on Russia's sophisticated propaganda and disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating Western public opinion on support for Ukraine, as well as its impact on the 2024 American elections. In addition to geopolitical analysis, this book offers a sobering examination of how Russia has exploited the deepening ideological divide within Western societies. It dives into the fractures between the left and the right, revealing how these divisions are being weaponized by Russian media and online networks to undermine unity and sow discord in democracies. The book presents a clear-eyed assessment of the new Cold War - its ideologies, power plays, and global ramifications of the struggle for influence. Cold War II confronts readers with uncomfortable truths about the state of Western democracies, the fragility of international order, and the far-reaching consequences of global political conflicts. By revealing the interconnectedness of a number of ongoing wars, the author also highlights how they act as battlefronts in the broader Russo-West rivalries. AUTHOR: Marc Ewert is an up-and-coming historian who studied History and Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde. Ewert had written his history dissertation on the Armenian Genocide and provided an overlooked perspective of the tragic event, arguing that the deportation policy was ideological. In July 2024, he was a volunteer for the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Armenia and aided Nagorno-Karabagh Armenian war refugees. His experiences in Armenia led to him having great appreciation for the real-life consequences of conflict on everyday people. His time working in the NHS during the Covid pandemic made him realise the inequalities people suffered under due to class, sex and racial differences and government neglect. This is Ewert's debut book; he is excited to introduce the public to new geopolitical concepts and theories, as well as political debate, in a relatively new, exciting and highly relevant area of non-fiction literary. 16 b/w illustrations
