The New Cold War: Revolutions, Rigged Elections and Pipeline Politics in the Former Soviet Union

An intrepid investigation into the pro-democracy movements that have reshaped the Eastern bloc since 2000, reopening the Kremlin’s wounds from the Cold War. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the Soviet Union collapsed two years later, liberal democracy was supposed to fill the void left by Soviet communism. Poland and Czechoslovakia made the best of reforms, but the citizens of the “Evil Empire” itself saw little of the promised freedom, and more of the same old despots and corruption. A a second wave of reforms–Serbia in 2000, Georgia in 2003 and Ukraine in 2004, as well as Kyrgyzstan’s regime change in 2005—have proven almost as monumental as those in Berlin and Moscow. The people of the Eastern bloc, aided in no small part by Western money and advice, are again rising up and demanding an end to autocracy. And once more, the Kremlin is battling the White House every step of the way. Mark MacKinnon spent these years working in Moscow, and his view of the story and access to those involved remains unparalleled. With The New Cold War, he reveals the links between these democratic revolutions—and the idealistic American billionaire behind them—in a major investigation into the forces that are quietly reshaping the post-Soviet world.

About the Author :
MARK MacKINNON is the Globe and Mail's Senior International Correspondent and the author of The New Cold War: Revolutions, Rigged Elections and Pipeline Politics (2007), and The China Diaries, an ebook of his train travels through the Middle Kingdom with photographer John Lehmann. He has been covering international affairs and Canada's role in the world since 2001 and is a seven-time winner of the National Newspaper Award.

Review :
“The New Cold War wonderfully documents the conflicting interests and policies of Russia and the West in an engaging, easy-to-read style.” —The Globe and Mail “A nuanced study that demonstrates the continuity of conflict between the US and Russia.” —Winnipeg Free Press “A necessary tale for those who would understand the troubled path taken by Russia and its neighbours since the fall of the Iron Curtain.” —Alexandre Trudeau “A real-life political drama, a non-fiction page-turner that will keep you up at night. . . . Beautifully written and compelling, a truly fascinating book.” —The Gazette (Montreal) "MacKinnon's eye-opening book masterfully shows that a secret war has been in full swing for years, and that it is far from over." —Embassy Magazine "MacKinnon's provocative book will interest anyone concerned about the possibilities and shortcomings of democratic change and popular revolution." —Publishers Weekly