The other day I watched an extraordinary DVD presentation called The Siege of Western Civilization . A one of the kind documentary which has already become an international bestseller, it was made and narrated by Herb Meyer.

Serving as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council, Mr. Meyer was the first high—ranking US official to predict the collapse of the Soviet Union. The year was 1982 and almost everybody thought then that the Soviets were here to stay. Understandably, Mr. Meyer's assessment was greeted with incredulity and even derision.

In the end, history vindicated his prescience when the thunderous echo of a crushing empire drowned out the sneers of his detractors. In recognition of his achievements and contributions to the national security, Mr. Meyer was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Intelligence Community's highest honor.

When Mr. Meyer has something to say, then, we had better pay attention. Today he is once again making a dire prediction, but this time it does not concern our enemy but ourselves. His message is as simple as it is disturbing: If we are not careful our civilization will die.

In this immensely captivating work, Mr. Meyer pinpoints in breathtaking fashion the great threats that are endangering our very existence. Zooming in and out of history with unparalleled ease, this documentary puts the pressing problems of our time into a historical perspective in a way not to be seen anywhere else. Anyone who wants to understand the predicament we currently face and how it has come about should make an effort to see this masterful and moving presentation.

Isolating three currents that are undercutting the foundation of our civilization, Mr. Meyer traces their origins and explains their insidiousness. You may be surprised to learn that only one of them is external while the other two have their roots within. Each one has the potential to bring us down on its own, but their combined force can only have one result. Mr. Meyer's explanation of how this would happen is as cogent as it is sobering. It can leave few of us indifferent, for it makes clear that the time to stem the tide is slowly running out.

The Siege of Western Civilization is the work of a scholar and an eminently wise man who earnestly wishes to preserve that which is good and precious. Not because it happens to comprise the historical tradition to which he himself belongs, but because it is intrinsically worthy. If the West goes down to its doom, what hope is there for the rest of the world? After all, ours has proven to be the only civilization capable of giving rise to prosperous and well—ordered societies. The death of the West would certainly give birth to a worldwide night, since there would be no light to restrain the armies of darkness.

Mr. Meyer's is a uniquely earnest voice, a voice that cannot but touch deeply anyone who cares about the fate of our civilization. Although serious he is not despairing, for despite the gravity of the crisis he sees a way out. And he articulates it in a way that is both clear and hopeful.

More than two decades ago, Mr. Meyer found himself in the middle of one of the greatest and most fierce struggles of history. America then fought not only for her own continued existence, but also for the survival of much of what is good in this troubled world. Mr. Meyer's wisdom and judgment helped ensure that that struggle ended with the right outcome. Today he once again offers his counsel. By making this documentary he has rendered us an invaluable service and we need to weight his words with the earnestness they deserve.

History itself has certified Mr. Meyer as one of the most prescient observers of our time. We can only ignore his message at our own peril.

Vasko Kohlmayer  4 4 06