The War in 2020

The War in 2020

Company type	Novel
Industry	Literature
Founded	1991
Founder	Ralph Peters
Products	Military-adventure novel

The War in 2020 is a 1991 military-adventure novel authored by Ralph Peters. Set within a bleak future timeline, the narrative covers a span of fifteen years, chronicling the United States' defense of the Soviet Union against a coalition formed by Japan, South Africa, and the Arab Islamic Union, an alliance of militant Islamic state entities. The plot centers on U.S. Army air cavalry officer George Taylor as he commands troops through various international conflicts and domestic disturbances.

Background

During the 1990s, Japan rises as a dominant trading nation challenging both the United States and the European Union. It leverages its economic strength to enhance military technology and expand its global influence.

Following Operation Desert Shield and interventions in Latin America, the U.S. military undergoes reductions in force size while increasing automation in intelligence collection.

Hostilities intensify in 2005 when South Africa, backed by Japan, invades the mineral-rich Shaba Province of Zaire. In response, the United States dispatches the XVIII Airborne Corps, supported by air and naval units, to counter this aggression.

Plot

During the Shaba conflict, Captain George Taylor leads an Apache gunship squadron that is ultimately destroyed by South African forces. After crash-landing and administering a mercy killing to his wounded gunner, he journeys to Kinshasa, where he uncovers a larger South African campaign involving attacks on U.S. B-2 bombers.

The swift defeat suffered by American forces prompts the U.S. President to authorize a nuclear strike on Pretoria to compel a cease-fire, an action that provokes widespread international condemnation.

Taylor returns to a base in the Azores but contracts "Runciman's Disease" (RD), a disfiguring virus rapidly spreading among military personnel and civilians worldwide.

Politically, the intervention undermines America's global standing: the E.U. withdraws its support; Japan initiates a mercantilist trade war by imposing embargoes on U.S. allies; and an Islamic coalition engages in nuclear warfare in the Middle East, devastating Israel and triggering refugee flows into the United States. These events culminate in a nuclear disarmament agreement involving major powers including both the USSR and U.S.

In 2008, Taylor suppresses pandemic-related riots in Los Angeles and later commands operations against a Japanese-backed insurgency in Mexico, where his scarred visage and combat methods intimidate rebel forces.

By 2020, as Central Asian republics supported by Japan and South Africa revolt against the Soviet Union’s weakening control, the U.S. restructures its military forces. Colonel Taylor’s 7th Heavy Cavalry Regiment (7HCR), equipped with advanced M-100 assault gunships armed with railguns and Gatling cannons, is deployed.

The 7HCR undertakes deep penetration strikes into northern Kazakhstan targeting Arab Islamic Union and Iranian units. However, a compromised radio transmission reveals their staging area near Orsk, leading to a Japanese assault utilizing "Scramblers," electronic weapons designed to disrupt neuro-muscular activity.

Despite orders to cease offensive operations following this attack, Taylor disobeys commands, evades a Soviet ambush, and launches an assault on Japanese headquarters in Baku amid an Azeri militant siege. His forces eliminate commander Kabata and disable Japan’s space defenses by capturing supercomputer technology. Although Taylor is killed securing this victory, surviving troops retreat into Turkey.

The epilogue discloses that this critical action precipitates a peace treaty between the USSR and its opponents. The 7HCR is awarded a presidential citation with all survivors receiving promotions.

Americans

• Col. George Taylor

The central protagonist and a highly accomplished helicopter pilot, Taylor is distinguished by his passion for classical literature and his trademark Irish tune "Garryowen." After contracting Runciman's Disease, his facial disfigurement during the Mexico mission earns him the nickname "El Diablo." His command of the 7HCR and his resolute defense in Baku lead to a posthumous Medal of Honor and a dedicated display at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Museum.

• Lt Col. Thomas Reno

Serving as the 7HCR's deputy commander, Reno craves attention and often breaks radio silence, unintentionally exposing Japanese troop concentrations. Coming from a military lineage, he is eventually promoted to colonel and takes charge of the 7th.

• Lt. Col. Howard 'Merry' Meredith

One of the rare US Army officers unaffected by Runciman's Disease, Meredith initially joins the service against his parents’ wishes. He collaborates with Taylor during the 2008 Los Angeles deployment before transferring to Fort Huachuca to oversee Army intelligence training amid the 7HCR’s reorganization.

• Maj. Manuel Xavier "Manny" Martinez

A Mexican-American hailing from San Antonio, Martinez acts as the senior maintenance officer for the 7HCR, personally managing equipment upkeep. He is killed in an enemy bombing in Omsk while repairing an M-100 vehicle.

• Jonathan Waters

The first African-American president of the United States, Waters backs American operations in the USSR and authorizes Taylor’s Baku offensive despite resistance within his Cabinet. He later passes away peacefully in his sleep due to a heart attack.

• Clifton Bouquette

Head of the Unified Intelligence Agency (UIA), which succeeded the US Intelligence Community, Bouquette’s extramarital relationships result in a divorce on Christmas 2020. He opposes Taylor’s military tactics and minimizes his accomplishments.

• Daisy Fitzgerald

A UIA analyst who harbors feelings for Taylor and fears for his safety in Russia. She avoids attending his memorial and subsequently becomes romantically involved with Bouquette.

Japanese

• Noburu Kabata

Commander of Japanese forces stationed in Soviet Central Asia, Kabata previously served in Zaire and took part in evacuations following Israel’s destruction in a nuclear conflict. Known for his sophisticated tastes, he enjoys golfing and wearing custom-tailored suits.

Soviets

• Colonel Viktor Kozlov

A former GRU officer acting as the Soviet Army liaison to the 7HCR, Kozlov supplies Taylor with intelligence about Japan’s Baku headquarters, drawing on his experience during Soviet occupation duties.

• Major Yuri Babryshkin

Commander of a Soviet tank brigade at the Kokchetav front, Babryshkin is appalled by a chemical attack on civilians and is executed by the KGB on charges of treason.

• Valya Babryshkina

Yuri’s wife, working as a prostitute in Moscow, she recovers emotionally after her husband’s execution upon meeting an American warrant officer who later proposes marriage.

Critical reception

The novel garnered favorable feedback from both critics and readers.

Kirkus Reviews highlighted its compelling narrative style and accessibility for readers unfamiliar with military topics.

Publishers Weekly acknowledged Peters’ contentious depiction of Muslim soldiers while praising the authentic portrayal of military hardships.