War Between Russia and China

by Harrison E. Salisbury

Book Overview

His first assignment in Russia was as head of the United Press bureau in Moscow in 1944. After joining The New York Times in 1949 he became their Moscow correspondent and remained there for the next... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• ISBN: B0014IWOQK
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Bantam
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Although dated, it is an excellent explanation of how geopolitics and national rivalry will dominate

A great deal has happened in the world in the 40 years since this book was written. The Soviet Union is no more, Mao has died and the natural propensity of the Chinese to engage in commerce has re-emerged. Therefore, much of the tension between China and Russia has abated, making this analysis by Salisbury interesting as a historical retrospective. The book is also a demonstration of how geopolitics will triumph over ideological similarities and political incompatibilities. Down through history, nations that have governments and political positions that are complete opposites become allies due to the circumstances of their position and national interests. That is the primary reason why the primary actions of the Soviet leadership differed very little in goals from that of the Tsars. Salisbury does an excellent job in explaining the fundamental rivalry between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China and how it has been active for centuries. Therefore, his thesis that a war between the Soviet Union and China is possible was not unrealistic, even though as of 2009 it has not happened. Nevertheless, the main points of rivalry still exist, and as Russia now moves to assert itself in what they refer to as "the near abroad", one of the natural points of tension is Mongolia and the border areas with China. If you want to know the reasons why a conflict between Russia and China is still a real possibility, read this book. Given the national interests of both countries, such a rivalry is inevitable.