The Morning Brief of today outlines how Russia has test-fired a new missile and sold military technology to Iran and Venezuela. They’ve also sent some ships to Venezuela recently.
I think it’s interesting how the US and Russia seem to be playing games with each other’s “near-abroads”. The US keeps trying to expand NATO to include countries in Russia’s sphere of influence. Russia retaliates by trying to build partnerships in the US’s sphere of influence and by, more dangerously, helping an opponent of the US acquire more power.
As Russia’s military power grows, I’m curious if the US will start intervening in Latin American countries again. Right now, the State Department’s reaction to Russia-Venezuela ties has been something like, “Oh wow, Russia found some boats that could go that far”. I wonder what it would be if Russia was stronger?
Ah defensive realism or offensive. It’s hard to tell sometimes.