The Caucasus: a Novel

The U.S. National Security Advisor is well aware of potential for substantial trouble in the Caucasus. He assigns his deputy, Greg Riskin, to investigate then report to the National Security Council. The results are chilling. Turkey, Iran and Russia are hell-bent on expanding their empires and the near-term possibility of Iran with a nuclear arsenal is daunting. Control by any strong-arm entity would have the effect of substantially increasing world oil and gas prices and provide...
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The U.S. National Security Advisor is well aware of potential for substantial trouble in the Caucasus. He assigns his deputy, Greg Riskin, to investigate then report to the National Security Council. The results are chilling. Turkey, Iran and Russia are hell-bent on expanding their empires and the near-term possibility of Iran with a nuclear arsenal is daunting. Control by any strong-arm entity would have the effect of substantially increasing world oil and gas prices and provide intolerable leverage to that entity.Greg reasons that it would be useful to have someone on his staff who, once familiar with factual information from a region, is able to intuitively understand the situation. His search leads him to Maury who leaves his cherished New Mexico to work for Greg in Washington D.C.Maury's intuition surfaces a startling insight, which must be dealt with by the President and his advisors. Energy, hegemony, political gamesmanship at the National Security Council and the nature of intuition are involved. Oh yes-Maury is dazzled by Lynn- assigned to the Iran desk at the State department. Unfortunately, Lynn does not consider those from New Mexico to be at her same cultural and intellectual level. Maury has a long road to travel. Lynn, however, becomes a participant as Maury struggles to reveal the insight that he must disclose. But then, life, like geopolitics is complicated, isn't it?You will find that subtle humor and irony provide counterpoint to the tension.. Perhaps your own intuition will lead you to believe that Maury's insight is a possibility that is not easily dismissed in our current world situation.You will be inclined to pay more attention to this region after reading the Caucasus.