“We are now focused on the insurance aspects you requested be added to the plan. Defense Minister Chernov has already met with Iran and is meeting with India and China this weekend. Of the three countries, the commitment from Iran is the most crucial and they have agreed. China and India’s participation isn’t essential, but would place the United States in an untenable position, eliminating their ability to intervene.”
Kalinin nodded his understanding. “Keep me apprised of our progress.”
16
BEIJING, CHINA
Defense Minister Boris Chernov peered out the side window of his sedan, its armored frame riding low to the ground, as it wound through the center of Beijing. Joining Chernov in the back of the car was the Russian ambassador to China, Danil Sokolov, who would translate during this morning’s meeting with Xiang Chenglei, China’s president and general secretary of the Party. The sedan came to a halt in front of the Great Hall of the People, where President Xiang’s executive assistant greeted the two Russians as they stepped from their car. Sokolov translated as the men spoke.
“Welcome to Beijing, Minister Chernov. I am Xie Hai, the president’s executive assistant.”
Chernov shook Xie’s hand. “Thank you for arranging this meeting.”
Xie smiled. “It was my pleasure.”
Xie escorted the two Russians up the steps toward the building entrance, framed by massive gray marble colonnades. As Chernov entered the Great Hall of the People, his thoughts turned to Belarus. The request Chernov would make today would be similar, but the dynamics were different. Although Russia’s share of oil and natural gas imports to China was rising, it was still a small fraction due to China’s insistence, wisely so, on multiple sources. Still, the deal could be sweetened other ways.
Whether China was willing to enter another conflict so soon was unknown. Russia and China’s relationship over the last several centuries had been contentious, but there was much common ground, particularly when it came to the United States. Chernov was a firm believer in the proverb The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The Soviet Union had employed the construct during World War II, working with the West despite their inherent distrust. Now, Russia would strive for an allegiance with the East.
The meeting didn’t take long. As Chernov and his translator exited the Great Hall of the People and slid into their waiting sedan, Chernov reflected on his discussions with the Chinese president and the head of the People’s Liberation Army. Neither man asked many questions, and when they did, Chernov had difficulty gauging their level of interest. The Chinese language was complex, with many nuances lost in translation. Still, the proposal had been made, and President Xiang was mulling the offer over.
As Chernov’s sedan headed toward the airport, he pulled a folder from his leather briefcase and reviewed the document inside, preparing for his next meeting.
17
NEW DELHI, INDIA
Under a clear blue sky with the heat shimmering along the brick path before them, Chernov walked beside Indian President Deepak Madan as they strolled through the gardens behind Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential mansion atop Raisina Hill. Among the verdant trees and colorful flowers in Mughal Gardens, two channels of water ran north to south and another two east to west, dividing the garden into a large central court surrounded by a smaller grid of squares on the periphery. The air was still today and the water tranquil, its surface reflecting the imposing presidential residence, a four-story, 340-room mansion located within the sprawling 320-acre estate.
As the two men walked among lush vegetation, the sun beating down on them, Chernov was convinced Madan had left the air-conditioned spaces of his presidential palace not for privacy reasons, but to subject the Russian defense minister to the intense Indian heat. Perspiration dotted Chernov’s forehead and he resisted the urge to loosen his tie; it was only mid-spring, but the heat was suffocating, the temperature already cresting toward one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, they had left their interpreters behind, with Madan insisting they continue their conversation in English, as if to point out the ubiquity of America’s influence.
Thankfully, Madan led the way to a shaded gazebo, where the temperature dropped considerably. After he took his seat at a marble picnic table, Chernov sat opposite him, preparing to deliver his pitch, which he’d rehearsed in his mind many times during the flight to New Delhi. Chernov had already explained the basic plan. The challenge was convincing President Madan that an alliance with Russia was in India’s best interest.
“America is in decline,” Chernov began, “while Russia is rising, reestablishing itself as a superpower. In the twenty-first century, you can align with the United States, Russia, or China. The American sphere of influence is shrinking each year, and it won’t be long before the United States becomes inconsequential in the Western Pacific. That leaves China or Russia, and your interests are much better served by an alliance with Russia.”
“This is not debatable,” Madan agreed. “However, I noticed that you met with China’s president yesterday. As you point out, China is our primary economic and military competitor, and I am curious as to what was requested of them, and what was promised.”
Chernov took a few minutes to lay out China’s role — most of the details, that is — finishing with, “China hasn’t committed yet, which makes India’s role more critical, and also more lucrative. Your participation will be greatly rewarded.”
“You ask much,” Madan replied. “Although I concur with your assessment — America is in decline — the United States is still a formidable economic and military force, with much influence around the world.”
Chernov pressed the issue. “The United States has become weak, both politically and militarily. They lost half of their Fleet in the war with China, and they have no stomach for additional conflict. We attacked one of their aircraft carriers — a blatant assault — knocking it out of commission and killing scores of Americans, and they did nothing. With the proper alliances, America will again look the other way and do nothing. And if they do not”—Chernov paused for effect—“we will make them pay dearly. All that remains is India’s commitment.”
Madan answered, “What you propose is within my authority as president. However, I will not commit unilaterally. This must be discussed among my National Security Council.”
“I understand,” Chernov said. “There are many issues to be considered.”
“When do you need an answer?” Madan asked.
“May ninth.”
Madan raised an eyebrow. “Victory Day?”
Chernov smiled. “There is no better day.”
18
MOSCOW
Christine O’Connor peered out the window of the C-32 executive transport, the military version of Boeing’s 757 and designated Air Force One when the president was aboard, or Air Force Two when the vice president was being flown. As the aircraft descended, it broke through the heavy gray clouds, revealing a sprawling metropolis — the capital of the Russian Federation and home to twelve million. In the distance, she spotted the Kremlin, where the next round of negotiations for the successor to New START would occur.
Today, Christine would meet with the Russians for the second time. The first round hadn’t gone well, with Russia refusing to allow inspections of their new Bulava missile or the Borei class submarines that carried them. However, following the Russian assault on Ice Station Nautilus and the American president’s threat to go public with what Russia had done, President Kalinin acquiesced, agreeing to allow inspections of their new missiles and submarines. However, the concession was only verbal up to this point, and Christine was bent on ensuring the agreement became documented in the next draft of the treaty.