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In the early 2010s, the Stuxnet computer virus was utilized to cripple the Iranian Nuclear Program. The malware was successful. 15 years later, Stuxnet II is about to be unleashed against Iran and Russia to forestall any future aggression. The brilliance of the second incarnation of the Stuxnet virus lay in its inability to be detected once it has been uploaded. Delta Force operatives Jake Cannon and Slade Swanson have been assigned the dangerous task of infiltrating select Russian bases and assisting an Israeli scientist in uploading the virus to various Russian nuclear sites. Once their half of the operation has concluded, the Mossad will unleash Stuxnet II on the Iranians. As Jake, Slade, and scientist Gary Zimmerman travel throughout Russia, a slight snag during a key mission leads to a breach of protocol and alerts the Russian Security (FSB) to be on their trail. The trio must be stealthy and expeditious in the remainder of their mission, as the consequences of being caught may ensure the beginning of World War III.
The Cold War was merely paused, as the exciting events of this geopolitical thriller show, as tensions between the United States and Russia continue to rise. The events begin in the present time as the second Trump administration contemplates covert maneuvers to neutralize potential threats to the United States and its allies(i.e. Israel). Jake and Slade are experienced and loyal soldiers who have carried out many missions in the past, but their latest mission requires some clarification. The character of Gary Zimmerman provides enlightenment as to various technological information as well as nuclear weapons. The Stuxnet II quantum virus guarantees that Russia's nuclear capabilities have been neutralized. The narrative is effectively solid in illuminating the omnipresent danger of nuclear war. The references to the Cheyenne Mountain Military Complex reflect the all-or-nothing approach of the US and its allies, as mission failure would be catastrophic. This novel is intelligent and fast-paced and will appeal to fans of Zero Days, NCIS, and the works of David Ignatius and Tom Clancy.