Pendulum

..".a unique and compelling insight into the winds of change that could have altered the course of the Soviet Union forever. Highly insightful, and utterly plausible-a valuable contribution to all that has been written about the Cold War."

Major General (Retired) Mike Ennis, USMC

Pendulum pits a little known and heretofore classified organization, the United States Military Liaison Mission (USMLM) and its main character, Major Matt Bollard, against the Soviet forces of East Germany, and places this rivalry in the context of a Soviet military conspiracy against its own political apparatus. The catalyst for action by both sides is the fast approaching signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). While elements of the Soviet military seek to counter the political changes occurring within its own government and negate the effects of arms negotiations, equally determined members of the U.S. military seek to demonstrate through its intelligence collection that the Soviets cannot be trusted to enter into any viable arms control treaty.

Randal Jones graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A in Russian and earned an M.A. in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University. He retired from the U.S. Army after 24 years of service. A Special Forces and Russian Area Officer he served in a myriad of intelligence and operational assignments around the world including Liaison Officer to the Commander of Soviet Forces East Germany, United States Military Liaison Mission and upon which Pendulum is based. He also served in the Defense Intelligence Agency; Treaty Inspector, On Site Inspection Agency; 4th Psychological Operations Group; 5th Special Forces Group; and multiple Infantry assignments. His qualifications include Master Parachutist, High Altitude Low Opening, SCUBA, Special Forces, Ranger, Psychological Operations, and qualified as inspector for multiple international arms control treaties. He retired from Science Applications International Corporation in 2012 where he and his team received its highest honor for leading the 2003 U.S. post-invasion recruitment of the Iraqi Army. Pendulum is his first publication.