Deterring Armageddon: A Biography of NATO

The history of the world's most successful military alliance, from the wrecked Europe of 1945 to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. After World War II, the West's democracies banded together to avoid a catastrophic global atomic conflict. Over the 75 years since, NATO has also become a major political, strategic and diplomatic player, while facing down Kremlin foes from Stalin to Putin. Deterring Armageddon takes the reader from backroom deals that led to NATO's creation, through the Cold War, the Balkans and Afghanistan to the invasion of Ukraine. It is a tale of tension, danger, rivalry, conflict, big personalities and high-stakes military and diplomatic posturing - as well as espionage, politics and protest. From the Korean War to the pandemic, the Berlin and Cuba crises to the chaotic evacuation from Kabul, Deterring Armageddon tells how the alliance has shaped and been shaped by history - and looks ahead to what might be the most dangerous era it has ever faced.