When the Soviet Union collapsed on December 26, 1991, it looked like the start of a remarkable new era of peace and co-operation. But Russia emerged from the 1990s battered and humiliated. Goaded on by a triumphant West, a new Russia has emerged with a large arsenal of upgraded weapons, conventional and nuclear, determined to reassert its national interests in Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine, as well as fighting a proxy war in the Middle East. Conradi argues that we have consistently failed to understand Russia and its motives and, in doing so, have made a powerful enemy.

I. The time of troubles -- II. Rebirth -- III. The hot peace -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgements -- Notes -- Index.