In the twenty-first century, the American and European elite described Russia as a power on a rampage. Most citizens simply assumed this to be true because it was repeated so many times. Only a few knew that the last time any Russian government had any ambition in international politics was the first half of 1914. This book seeks to give the reader the basic knowledge of the history of international politics which will allow him—unlike those in the press—to see through government propaganda. It also explains why this government propaganda, and the unnecessary policy of “containment” which it promoted, existed in the first place. The key to thwarting an illegitimate foreign or domestic policy is a citizenry that cannot be tricked. Historical knowledge, the basis of this immunity, is what this book attempts to offer. Contents: Introduction Nineteenth-Century Europe’s Fear of America: The Basis of the First World War An Unknown Strand: The Assumption of Russian-American Friendship 1800-2000 Russian Expansion Before the First World War Western Europe’s Anti-Slavic Impulse The Russian-American Connection: Why Did Germany Invade Russia in the Two World Wars? The Soviet Union’s Lack of Ambition: The Cold War as the Biggest Misunderstanding in the History of Politics America Continues the Cold War After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union What is the Definition of International Politics? How Russian History Explains Why America Needs No Policy Towards Syria and Iran An Illiterate Country Can Only Have an Illiterate Foreign Policy What Happened in 2016? How the Illiterate American Elite Defeated Donald Trump’s Attempt to End Their Annexation of the World Why? America’s Foreign Policy is an Automatic Extension of its Domestic Policy and its Domestic Civilization What a Country Ajay Reddy is an independent scholar of the history of international politics. His special interest is the impact of historical events on current policy and ethical and moral dimensions of statecraft. He references not just scholarly works but also popular culture to frame his historical research in the contemporary context. He studied at the University of Illinois and now lives in Urbana Champaign.