The Edge

One of the best commentators on defence and diplomacy … always a reliably authoritative presence … Concise and cogently argued, Urban’s book deserves a wide readership, as it makes an excellent starting point for a debate that should range way beyond the usual defence interest suspects – Michael Burleigh * The Times *In clear and concise prose, Urban lays out the way in which an entire continent has chosen the path of wholesale disarmament. It is impossible to read this authoritative book without feeling a deep sense of alarm, indeed of wonder, that our leaders have chosen to take such breathtaking risks … Urban delivers a compelling message * Daily Telegraph *This slim, compelling study argues that the West is foolish to let its strategic muscle weaken * Sunday Telegraph *My own professional experience tells me we should be listening very carefully to what he has to say – Richard Dearlove, former Head of MI6 * Prospect *An essential alarm bell about Western military weakness * Telegraph *

Mark Urban is Diplomatic and Defence Editor for Newsnight and the author of The Tank War and the Number One Sunday Times bestseller, Task Force Black.