For the past few years, Russia has been pursuing a diplomatic offensive into what was once called ‘America’s backyard.’ According to this editorial from Russian newspaper Vedomosti, it’s time for some soul searching, because it isn’t clear that the policy is worth the money just so Moscow can relive the Cold War and thumb its nose at Washington.
The Vedemosti editorial says in part:
Russia intends to regain lost influence in South America, and if that doesn’t suit someone, “I couldn’t give a damn,” said President Dmitry Medvedev at a press conference during a visit to Argentina.
For Russian leaders, is seems that no continent is closer than Latin America. This was the destination of one of Medvedev’s first foreign tours as president. He visited Cuba, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. Now the Russian leader has traveled to Argentina and Brazil. Venezuela was visited repeatedly by Vladimir Putin (both in his previous and current positions). The “energetic” Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin traveled to South America seven (!) times in 2008 alone [Sechin oversees Russia’s oil sector].
Perhaps it would make sense to pause and answer the question: why are we going back to Latin America? If it’s only to walk along the U.S. border with head held high, is it worth the billion-dollar price? Is this a strategy or some kind of tactical game?
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