Hang Nguyen

Europe has become the battlefield of a merciless proxy war between the superpowers. The war erupted in 2022, but it has been in the offing for more than two decades. In the wake of the Cold War, Western Europe sought to achieve a peace process in Eastern Europe. The Federal Republic of Germany's Ostpolitik (German policy towards Eastern Europe) is an example of this. Russia became a partner, almost even a friend. However, at the same time, NATO, under US leadership, expanded further and further east. This development brought the peace process to a standstill and eventually reversed it. Today, Russia and the USA are irreconcilably opposed to each other in Europe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022 has made any peaceful agreement between Europe and Russia impossible for the foreseeable future. Europe is committed to the USA and not only vis- -vis Russia. For according to the will of the USA, this front is also to be positioned vis- -vis the People's Republic of China. This fatal development is critically connected to the fact that Europe has not succeeded in creating an independent and autonomous position for itself in world politics. The "Old Continent" has become dependent on the USA, Russia and China, from which there seems to be no escape. Europe has become the pawn of the superpowers. The battle for Europe has begun.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine. Just 20 days earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had signed an "Alliance Treaty." This was no coincidence: Beijing and Moscow are closer than commonly perceived in the West. The two countries are not "bosom friends," but they are united in an irrepressible desire to crush the supremacy of the United States of America. And both countries are clearly committed to a common social system, namely communism. This is diametrically opposed to the Western concept of democracy under the rule of law and individual freedom for humanity. If the most populous state on earth, the People's Republic of China, and the largest country on this planet in terms of area, the Russian Federation, join forces against the West, our democracy, freedom and rule of law will be in acute danger. There is no way for Europe to stay out of this culture war. But there is an opportunity to take a clear stance in order to achieve maximum security for the people of Europe in an uncertain era. In this grippingly written book, nonfiction author Andreas Dripke, UN advisor Hang Nguyen, and peace activist Jamal Qaiser vividly demonstrate what can happen when China and Russia join forces. This much can be revealed: It forbodes nothing good

Meticulously researched, formulated with suspense and with a great deal of empathy for those suffering from the horrors of war, the authors give a brutally honest recount of the conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine - and more Far beyond that, this book is about the global mechanisms of power. All three countries exemplify the callous principle of proxy wars. Here, the power games of the superpowers enfold in regions that happen to serve as "venues." The authors highlight the impotence of the United Nations as well as the paralysis of the European Union. Beyond analysis and accusation, Hang Nguyen and Jamal Qaiser outline concrete ways in which peace processes can be initiated and steered towards success. Not only, but also in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.