The President gave a tight smile. “Boris Mikhailovich, our much-esteemed but always very concerned Finance Minister, will be delighted to learn this. But then again,” he shrugged, “I feel sure he will find something to worry about.”

“That is why businessmen and accountants should not be allowed anywhere near the business of war,” Merkulov replied.

“Exactly.” The President nodded. “Now, tell me more about the problems the British face.”

Komarov knew how the President enjoyed being told in front of his generals how short-sighted and foolish his enemies were. Not only did it reassure the President that his plans would work, but it also let the generals know how lucky they were to have him as their commander-in-chief. Two birds knocked from the sky with one stone, as the British would say.

“As for their once-formidable navy, they have yet to replace the escort ships they scrapped, while the aircraft carriers they built have no aircraft to fly off them. Nor, despite the decision to procure them in 2015, will they have any anti-submarine, maritime patrol aircraft for at least another two years. Quite unbelievable for an island nation. You would think they would understand the sea, as we understand the land. But this British government? Apparently not.

“And as for their once-famous army? Our assessment is that they are now so weak that the deployment of a brigade, let alone a division, would be a major challenge. Indeed, when they deployed a small armored battlegroup to Poland to take part in a flagship NATO exercise last November, our agents in the UK were picking up unconfirmed rumors that they were talking about bringing tanks over from their training fleet in Canada, because the serviceability and spares situation in their UK tank fleet was so dire.”

“What happened?” the President demanded.

“They ended up cannibalizing what tanks they had in Britain and Germany, just to get half a tank battalion operational. It was all about saving face.”

“And did they succeed in saving face?”

“No.” Merkulov allowed himself to smile again. “Although the other nations involved were too polite to comment. We have it on very good authority that the British military were deeply embarrassed, but their politicians did not want to notice.”

“We are indeed fortunate that this Defense Minister inflicted such lasting damage. What about NATO’s ability to reinforce Latvia?” asked the President.