(Reviewed by Cathy Carey)
“I have spent the greater part of my life trying to deepen relations between Russia and the United States.
But in 2014 all these efforts seemed for naught. Heightening my sense of frustration, I was banned by Putin from traveling to Russia—the first U.S. ambassador since George Kennan, in 1952, to be barred entry to the country.
What had I personally done wrong? Had I pursued the wrong strategies? Or had I embraced the wrong goals in the first place?”
Michael McFaul, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation 2012-2014, seeks to answer these questions and address issues concerning Russian-American relations over the last thirty years in his book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia.
McFaul is a wonderful writer and keeps the reader engaged in understanding what goes on when a legitimate American Administration painstaking takes steps to promote democracy for the good of everyone in the world. Even as I re- read this book, I get more out of it.
McFaul was recently in the headlines as being one of the men Vladimir Putin wanted to “interview”. I, as well as many Americans were appalled that Donald Trump would even consider giving up an American diplomat. I became intrigued as to what history Ambassador McFaul had with the Russian government to warrant this attention.
I have to admit I paid no attention to foreign policy while Obama was President. I felt and feel even stronger after reading this book that our former president always had our country’s best interests at heart. I was also sickened and scared by Donald Trump’s ignorance and vengeful behavior towards President Obama. Trump has ignored the years of research and exhaustive diplomatic policy. I personally believe now more than ever that Trump is a National Security threat and needs to go.
I often wondered, “Why should we care”? McFaul answers that question. I now realize that it is for the good of the American people. When peace is promoted, the goal is nuclear reduction, less military spending, and more productive goals to promote a better way of life for all Americans, and frankly, the entire world.
I recommend this thought-provoking book to everyone. A must-read now!
