RUSSIA IN THE AMERICAS – AT 8:48 A.M. ET: It appears Russian ambition doesnt stop in Eurasia. From The Hill: Away from the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly seeking a foothold in Latin America, military officials warn. To the alarm of lawmakers and Pentagon officials, Putin has begun sending navy ships and long-range bombers to the region for the first time in years. Russia’s defense minister says the country is planning bases in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and just last week, Putin’s national security team met to discuss increasing military ties in the region. “They’re on the march,” Gen. James Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command said at a Senate hearing earlier this month. “They’re working the scenes where we can’t work. And they’re doing a pretty good job.” Kelly said there has been a “noticeable uptick in Russian power projection and security force personnel” in Latin America. “It has been over three decades since we last saw this type of high-profile Russian military presence,” Kelly said at the March 13 hearing. The U.S. military says it has been forced to cut back on its engagement with military and government officials in Latin America due to budget cuts. Kelly said the U.S. military had to cancel more than 200 effective engagement activities and multi-lateral exercises in Latin America last year. With the American presence waning, officials say rivals such as Russia, China and Iran are quickly filling the void. Iran has opened up 11 additional embassies and 33 cultural centers in Latin America while supporting the operational presence of militant group Lebanese Hezbollah in the region. “On the military side, I believe theyre establishing, if you will, lily pads for future use if they needed to use them,” Kelly said. China is making a play for Latin America a well, and is now the fastest growing investor in the region, according to experts. Although their activity is mostly economic, they are also increasing military activity through educational exchanges. The Chinese Navy conducted a goodwill visit in Brazil, Chile and Argentina last year and conducted its first-ever naval exercise with the Argentine Navy. COMMENT: Remember that we have two and a half more years of Hussein Obama before there is any chance for improvement. And if another Democrat gets sent to the White House, who knows if he (or she) will actually improve things...although I think Hillary might actually strengthen American defense to make herself appear tough. We are in the soup. Sometimes I wish we had a parliamentary system, wherein a president could be removed more easily than through impeachment.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 20:55:40 +0000
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