Historian alfred mc coy explains how a series of catastrophes have produced a relentless succession of rising empires and fading world orders. Mc coy's meticulous understanding of the past and present failures and excesses of empires gives him the rare credibility to offer a detailed, damning picture of the grim realities humankind faces as history transforms into our future. Why did this invasion happen when it did? Because for a long time, it seems like the us. Was gearing up for a new cold war with china. And now here we are, somewhat suddenly, at least is the feeling, i think, in the shadow of the old cold war.