With remarkable clarity and a unique perspective, Zubok argues that the Cold War, often viewed as an existential battle between capitalist democracy and totalitarian communism, has been grossly misunderstood. He challenges the popular Western narrative that claims economic superiority and democratic values led the U.S. to victory. Instead, he looks beyond the familiar images of the East-West rivalry, shedding light on the influence of non-Western factors and placing the war within the context of global decolonization, Soviet weakness, and the misfortunes of history. Here, he explores what happens when stability and peace are no longer paramount, when conditions unravel, and when diplomacy ceases to function.