Two news items this week underline the cost of the Bush Administration's bungling anti-Russia policy. Both relate to Russian activity in its old stomping ground in America's Latin backyard.

The first is news that Russia is thinking about putting manned bombers in Cuba in response to US efforts to install anti-missile defense systems in eastern Europe:

Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons could be deployed to Cuba in response to U.S. plans to install a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, a Russian newspaper reported Monday, citing an unnamed senior Russian air force official.

That's from Izvestia. It may be unlikely -- one source calls it psychological warfare, but still. It drew a sharp response from a top US air force official:

A top U.S. Air Force officer warned on Tuesday that Russia would be crossing "a red line" if it were to use Cuba as a refueling base for nuclear-capable bombers. ... "And if they did, I think we should stand strong and indicate that that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America."

Meanwhile, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is in Moscow, talking about an alliance with Russia, ostensibly aimed at defending his country against the United States but in fact closely tied to Russia's worldwide oil diplomacy:

The South American said he wanted a strategic alliance with Russia to protect his country from attack from the United States. Shortly after his arrival in Moscow he said: "[The alliance would mean] we can guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is now threatened by the United States. We want peace, but we are forced to strengthen our defence."

President Dmitry Medvedev said Russian-Venezuelan relations "are one of the key factors of security in the [South American] region."

The deals could include oil exploration in Venezuela and a joint bank.

Venezuela's state-run oil company signed separate deals with three Russian energy companies, Gazprom, Lukoil and TNK-BP, during the first day of Chavez's visit.

Chavez said the deals signalled the "creation of a new strategic energy alliance" between the two countries.

Chavez is also reported to be interested in purchasing Russian military hardware. One newspaper reported that the potential contracts could be worth up to $2 billion.

Furthermore, the newspaper Kommersant reported that Chavez is looking to order Ilyushin jets, diesel-powered submarines, Tor-M1 air defence systems and possibly tanks.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Comments (6)

1. I can't wait for some right-winger to bring up how "Chavez is a Commie trying to suck upto the Commies in Russia".

   Posted by Maskdelta at 07/23/2008 @ 2:07pm

2. I can't wait for some right-winger to bring up how "Chavez is a Commie trying to suck upto the Commies in Russia".

   Posted by Maskdelta at 07/23/2008 @ 2:07pm

   Why not; it's the truth. Chavez himself says he is a Trotskyist.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/23/2008 @ 8:42pm

3. China's on the favored list, why not Venezuela? Maybe we need an administration composed of discount store moguls instead of oilmen. Gee, nationalized oil burns as good as the other stuff. So much for global competition.

   Posted by Sorelish at 07/23/2008 @ 11:03pm

4. Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/23/2008 @ 8:42pm

   So, how many "Commies" are left among the millionaire oligarchs who run Russia, Larry?

   Posted by Maskdelta at 07/24/2008 @ 10:41am

5. So, how many "Commies" are left among the millionaire oligarchs who run Russia, Larry?

   Posted by Maskdelta at 07/24/2008 @ 10:41am

   What matters is not the number of millionaires, but who is in control. That would be the former head of the KGB-Putin.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/24/2008 @ 12:58pm

6. Posted by lvliberty1 at 07/24/2008 @ 12:58pm

   So, LL, what indications do you have from Putin...or his successor ...that they are "Communists"?

   Been seizing the property of the capitalist swine, lately, have they???

   Posted by Maskdelta at 07/24/2008 @ 1:28pm