In his latest book, author Keir Giles posits that the United States is exhibiting behavioral patterns that make it difficult to distinguish from Russia. Giles points to several key areas of concern, specifically citing what he describes as expansionist foreign policy goals and increasingly aggressive military posturing. Furthermore, he argues that the current American political climate involves a consolidation of power that is being used to target and undermine political adversaries.

This comparison suggests a convergence in how both nations manage internal affairs and project power globally. While the United States and Russia have historically maintained distinct political systems, Giles suggests that the erosion of democratic norms and the weaponization of political institutions in the U.S. mirror the authoritarian structures often associated with the Russian state. The analysis serves as a critique of current American governance, suggesting that the country is drifting away from its traditional democratic foundations toward a model defined by centralized control and the suppression of dissent. The Independent’s coverage frames this as a warning regarding the health of American democracy, emphasizing that the similarities are not merely coincidental but represent a deliberate shift in the nation's political trajectory.