"如果放弃了现在的机会，就等于是抛弃了成功的可能。"——牛鬼，《樱桃小丸子》FollowingthecrisisinUkraineandRussia’sinvolvementinSyria,theworldisclosertosuperpowerconfrontationthanatanytimesincetheendoftheColdWar.NowacommitteeofseniorformerBritishmilitaryanddiplomaticfigurescomestogethertowargameahypothetical‘hotwar’inEasternEurope,includingtheunthinkable-nuclearconfrontation. TheWarRoomfacesascenariothathashauntedwesternstrategistssincecivilwarbrokeoutinUkrainepotentialRussianmilitaryinvolvementintheBalticStatesofLatviaandEstonia.LikeUkrainethesecountrieshavesizableRussianspeakingminorities,butunlikeUkrainetheyaremembersofNATO,whosefoundingtreatystatesthatanattackononeallyisanattackonallofthem.Becauseofthis,westernanalystsregularlywargameasituationwhereRussiaseekstoexploitethnictensionsintheBalticandtestthestrengthoftheNATOAlliance.