It is said that art often must imitate life. In the case of Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising", the motives and actions of the fictionalized USSR line up rather nicely with those of the real life USA. And therein lies a warning for those who think fake terror is the ideal tool with which to rule. For in Clancy's book, following a costly and bloody war, the fictionalized USSR is no better off than when it started, still without oil, still without money, and with a military coup on top of it all.

Life imitates art?

I hope not.