Venezuela, Iran & others: a coalition? (New title)

[AdamG]

AdamG,

Doesn't the meeting of the two presidents remind you of the rather strange relationship between Hitler and Mussolini?

I wonder if history will repeat itself. Notably one nation being found to be a "paper tiger" that needs propping up in war.

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose Yeah, I know : Daily Mail. Still.


Oh yeah, you might want to read this thread

[AdamG]

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a meeting with former Cuban President Fidel Castro stressed the common positions of Tehran and Havana on different international issues, and called for the further reinvigoration of ties between the two countries.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9010170873

& for those who don't want to hit FARS
http://www.timesunion.com/news/artic...ro-2501059.php

[AdamG]

(CBS News) Top United States intelligence officials had a dire warning for Congress on Tuesday; that Iran would likely launch terrorist attacks on U.S. soil as pressure mounts against the regime in Tehran. The alarming assessment is making a tense situation even more serious.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_1...strike-in-u.s/

[Strickland]

Regardless of the bellicose rhetoric, oil imports from Venezuela remain VITAL to the US economy (i think they remain in the top 5 providers to the US). If Chavez truly wished to harm the US, and commit national or at least regime suicide, he could attempt to prevent oil from flowing to the US and/or disrupt oil exports from Mexico. Either of these moves would hurt far worse than the Straits of Hormuz being closed.

[AdamG]

Regardless of the bellicose rhetoric, oil imports from Venezuela remain VITAL to the US economy (i think they remain in the top 5 providers to the US). If Chavez truly wished to harm the US, and commit national or at least regime suicide, he could attempt to prevent oil from flowing to the US and/or disrupt oil exports from Mexico. Either of these moves would hurt far worse than the Straits of Hormuz being closed.

Right before Nigeria.
ftp://ftp.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/pe...nt/import.html

Acting alone, Venezuela would be stupid but in concert with others?

[AdamG]

Building recent on efforts to strengthen political relationships between Tehran and South American nations, Iran has announced intentions to launch HispanTV to expand their influence in the region, and give their strategic influence a wider audience.

http://insightsur.com/2012/02/02/ira...h-language-tv/

[AdamG]

Iran and Middle East-based extremist groups are stepping up their activities in South America, aiming to make friends and score cash, a senior U.S. military official says.

Tehran intends to build military drones in Washington's backyard for the Venezuelan military led by Hugo Chavez, U.S. Southern Command chief Gen. Douglas Fraser told reporters Wednesday during a breakfast meeting in Washington.

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/dot...-south-america