The book is intended to help Russian readers broaden their understanding of Washington's often confusing contemporary politics. An analysis of current events around Iraq and Afghanistan and the recent wave of “color revolutions” around Russia is preceded by an assessment of the geopolitical and historical context of these events. The author carefully traces the role of oil as a pillar of Anglo-American power in the last century and shows that it is not oil itself that is important, but the control over it that gives real political power. The Cold War of the last century was the best vehicle for this, as fear of the Soviet threat successfully isolated Russia and strengthened the dominance of Britain and the United States through the possession of resources. Another means was financial policy aimed at preventing the economic growth of possible competitors.