Jonathan Haslam je profesorem George F. Kennana na Škole historických studií Ústavu pro pokročilá studia v Princetonu a profesorem dějin mezinárodních vztahů na Univerzitě v Cambridge.
The Spectre of War looks at a subject we thought we knew--the roots of the Second World War--and upends our assumptions with a masterful new interpretation. Looking beyond traditional explanations based on diplomatic failures or military might, Jonathan Haslam explores the neglected thread connecting them all: the fear of Communism prevalent across continents during the interwar period. Marshalling an array of archival sources, including records from the Communist International, Haslam transforms our understanding of the deep-seated origins of World War II, its conflicts, and its legacy
The book provides an in-depth exploration of Soviet intelligence services, detailing their evolution from the October Revolution through to the Cold War's conclusion. Jonathan Haslam presents a complex narrative that uncovers the intricate workings and historical significance of these agencies, offering valuable insights into their influence on global events during this tumultuous period.
A global history of the Interwar period, which posits a new history for the origins of the Second World War. Haslam argues that it was not only the failures of the treaties that ended the First World War that led to the Second. Rather, fear of international communism hampered the Great Powers and prevented the necessary diplomatic steps to contain the aggression of Germany and Japan to a much greater extent and much earlier in history than previous scholarship has recognized
A uniquely comprehensive and rich account of the Soviet intelligence services, Jonathan Haslam's Near and Distant Neighbors charts the labyrinthine story of Soviet intelligence from the October Revolution to the end of the Cold War. Previous histories have focused on the KGB, leaving military intelligence and the special service--which focused on codes and ciphers--lurking in the shadows. Drawing on previously neglected Russian sources, Haslam reveals how both were in fact crucial to the survival of the Soviet state. This was especially true after Stalin's death in 1953, as the Cold War heated up and dedicated Communist agents the regime had relied upon--Klaus Fuchs, the Rosenbergs, Donald Maclean--were betrayed. In the wake of these failures, Nikita Khrushchev and his successors discarded ideological recruitment in favor of blackmail and bribery. The tactical turn was so successful that we can draw only one conclusion: the West ultimately triumphed despite, not because of, the espionage war. In bringing to light the obscure inhabitants of an undercover intelligence world, Haslam offers a surprising and unprecedented portrayal of Soviet success that is not only fascinating but also essential to understanding Vladimir Putin's power today.
The book offers a critical analysis of three decades of diplomatic failures and miscommunications that have fueled mutual distrust, culminating in the devastating war in Ukraine. It delves into the historical context, exploring key moments and decisions that shaped the relationship between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the complexity of geopolitical dynamics and the consequences of missed opportunities for peace.
The phrase Cold War was coined by George Orwell in 1945 to describe the impact
of the atomic bomb on world politics. Far more than merely a straightforward
history of the Cold War, this book presents an account of politics and
decision making at the highest levels of Soviet power.
