Real World Tensions and Possibilities. Proxy Wars is the 6th book of The Command and Control Series that follows Donald Riley as a CIA Director dealing with the actions of Governments wanting to take over the world. This is my first time reading the series and I felt this book was great as a stand-alone book. Having some of the back stories might have helped me with some characters, but I didn’t feel like I was only getting part of the story. China, Russia, the Stans are all involved in the action here as the USA deals with new presidents and change. The storyline is a real possibility and threat we may see in our lifetime as AI continues to evolve and governments use the technology for both good or evil. The book centers around the tensions that are building in the Far East between Russia, China, and the other countries bordering them. The action kept coming and the authors included several twists to keep you connected to the story. It was an enjoyable read that encourages me to read more of this series.

This is a book that I was given the opportunity to review in late November (or early December) by the authors (David Bruns and J.R. Olson), their publisher (Severn River Publishing) and the fine folks at NetGalley.

This is slated to be the finale for the Command and Control series and the premise of this novel is that in the upcoming global showdown between the United States and China, the United States confronts a new enemy as war strategy is now being provided at an exponential rate by the processing power of quantum computers (otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence (AI)). Artificial Intelligence is defined as technological progress has brought about the emergence of machines that have the capacity to take human lives without human control. In a world where brute force is no longer enough, AI is causing military strategies to be reshaped, giving technologically advanced nations a decisive edge in warfare. AI has been used to augment military intelligence

From a factual basis, the countries making extensive use of AI with regards to forming the basis of the military planning include Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, South Korea, and the European Union. The extensive application of AI in warfare is arguably inevitable, which risks escalation of conflict from a limited conventional or proxy war into a rapidly spiraling high-tech war, driven by miscalculation and misinformation.

The premise of the story is that in the years following the Taiwan Conflict (between America and China), a conflict in Ukraine (between America and Russia), and the re-emergence of China as a military and economic powerhouse - a strategic powerplay begins to unfold in Central Asia as the People's Republic of China begins to extend its military might under the pretext of protecting their global infrastructure development strategy by the Chinese government to improve regional integration, increase trade, and stimulate economic growth (which is the definition of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)). The BRI was launched in 2013 and is planned to be completed by 2049. It involves investing in more than 150 countries and international organizations. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a strategy initiated by the People's Republic of China that seeks to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth.

Under the pretext of protecting their Belt-and-Road projects, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) gains a stronghold in the region by having a portion of its military forces "invited" to "protect" Central Asia (which includes the following nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) from the "terroristic actions" of the SIF. Against this invasion, a courageous band of freedom fighters, led by Akhmet Orazov, is the only challenge to the PLA forces (supported by the CIA).

On this geopolitical chessboard, the newly-elected U.S. President wants to make a bold statement against Chinese expansionism. Don Riley, recently appointed CIA Director of Operations, is chosen to spearhead the critical mission.

Don launches a clandestine CIA operation to aid the freedom fighters, but as the losses pile up, he realizes they are fighting a new enemy. The PLA harbors a secret weapon – Foresight, a quantum-powered battlefield AI. This advanced system anticipates and counters the resistance's moves with chilling precision, pushing Don to the edge. With each passing day, as Foresight's surveillance net widens, the window for effective resistance narrows.

Don and his team put everything on the line. As the resistance draws the PLA into a decisive final battle, he launches a covert team. Their mission is to neutralize Foresight.

On a five-star scale, this book by the publishing team of Bruns and Olson is worthy of a vaunted five-star rating. Packed with heart-stopping action, ripped-from-the-headlines combat scenes, and page-turning twists, this military techno-thriller is a must-read for aficionados of the genre. Fans of Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, Stephen Coonts, Andrew Watts, and Mark Greaney rejoice.

As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth.

I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

In this finale of the series, the story begins with Harrison embedded into a group of freedom fighters headed by Orazov. They have planted explosives and are planning on blowing a bridge that is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia. The attack is successful, but the response from the PLA is quicker than expected as a result the freedom fighters suffer a lot of death.

The story then follows with how the newly elected POTUS is to handle supporting the Freedom Fighters with arms. Riley, the CIA OPS Director, suggests that the U.S. and Russia work together. The President has concerns and doesn't want to work with Russia because she won't work with a dictator. Russia does not take this well and starts making plans.

Read along and discover the steps that Harrison, the CIA officer embedded with Orazov, and the fighters take once they discover that the Chinese have a tool that predicts where the attacks will happen along with providing tools to thwart the attacks.

The action is immense and the battles by the fighters start to wear down the PLA. Reading the exciting conclusion and discover who and what information was provided to bring the fighting to a conclusion.

Don't miss out, read this book now.

Review: Techno-thriller set within the Asian continent with super powers vying for control.

I have written the review over and over. I basically go from hating to loving. Since I did not want to devalue the work based on my own enui, I forged on past my immeadiate dislike and found the various tropes palatable within the context of whole expression. You know, evilly hench guy etc.

To condense this review, the novel is one long fukin read of riveting action, and compelling characters coupled with a futuristic (or is it?) blend of field and warrior manipulation. Really thought provoking. Get this and be entertained.

4.3/5

In Central Asia, China has spent heavily in their Belt and Road projects and long have planned to key a very close eye on their investments. An eye that needs to be so close that it has become AI. The Chicoms will go to any lengths to keep a close hold on this region as it holds more value than one can imagine. China is sending in troops to lockdown the region while a strong band of insurgents are willing to fight them to the death to save their lands from the invaders.
The US has a new president who seems adverse to military action and leaves Don Riley, the CIA Ops Director, hamstrung. Seemingly powerless to help repel the Chicoms. Don finally gets the nod to help the insurgents but finds that the enemy is not limited to human fighters but an AI foe as well, they call it Foresight. Foresight predicts and counteracts each and every combatant move.
Together they must come up with a plan and come up with it quickly. Otherwise, Foresight will gain so much power that it cannot be overcome.
It all comes down to the final skirmish. Win or perish.

Riveting next edition in the Command and Control series.
Trouble is escalating in Central Asia with China and Russia and Don Riley, of the CIA, has been tasked with solving the problem. His undercover operative Harrison is embedded with the opposition
freedom fighters. China's AI quantum computer program, Foresight, is making the battle much more costly.
The action is non stop and the incredible attention to detail and exacting descriptions of covert operative actions, which are routine for this series, continues to captivate and make the reading
engrossing and completely non stop.
Great read.