Top 5 International Security Notes - Sept 12, 2015

Introduction

[Read the last International Security Notes here]

The digest of International Security Notes for Sept 12, 2015, covers:

• Venezuela Vanguard
• Russian Bear on the Prowl
• Chinese Dragon's Missiles
• The Anchor in Syrian Sandstorm
• US Senate Embraces Iran

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Top 5 International Security Notes

 

1. Venezuela Vanguard

Twenty-first century statism mirrors that of the 19th and 20th century: delusion, depravity, and dictatorship. The desperate Maduro regime in Caracas imprisoned (formally) a key opposition leader, Leopoldo López, after months of detention. Externally,  Maduro, a former bus driver firmly in the seat of the unraveling of a once-rich democratic petro-state, continues to badger his neighbor Colombia, a US ally in a rough neighborhood. This border sideshow cannot hide the main act - Venezuela on the vanguard of sliding into the abyss. 

2. Russian Bear on the Prowl

Russian TU-95, credit: see below

The world's major contenders to be the top bad ass are exploiting the remainder of the milquetoast Obama Administration. Russia is giddy - sends TU-95 bombers off Alaska and California on the US July 4 Independence Day

holiday, violates the Intermediary Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty from the late Cold War years without any consequence, and fully supports its client states like selling S-300 anti-air missiles systems to Iran, and Syria. Moscow wants its fair share of Washington's beneficence towards anti-US states. Plus, Putin has the treasure trove of secret data stolen by  Snowden, a royal guest in Moscow.

3.  Chinese Dragon's Missiles

Communists are fond of rewriting history, like China's 70th celebration of the victory over Japan in World War II, at the hands of Chiang Kai-shek, a Nationalist, not the current crew strictly ruling the country. However, the pompous occasion provided a platform for Beijing to strut out its Dong Feng family of strategic missiles. Of significant import is the DF-41 MIRV ICBM. Shining stars like the YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile continue to bolster Beijing's determination to evict the US from Asian waters.

4. The Anchor in Syrian Sandstorm

In unmistakable terms, Moscow proves its fidelity to friends/good customers. Assad's Syria is both, dating from the time of Papa Assad until now. However, the latest Russian intervention (an airbase) is drawing attention. Putin does not play on the margins of red lines like Obama; he sees green - as in cash for his moribund economy. Russia has dropped anchor in Syria - literally - and warned the US. Blame shifting the Syrian Sandstorm on Putin cannot be helpful and reeks amateurish at this late stage. Not incidentally, Russia's resurgence in the Middle East - especially Egypt - comes at a time of declining US influence.

5. US Senate Embraces Iran

US foreign policy bereft of realism rolls on. One day before the 14th anniversary of 9/11, the US Senate guaranteed approval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - the so-called "Iran Deal" - essentially welcoming Tehran to the nuclear missile club. The ossified US foreign policy Establishment is even not sure of JCPOA's efficacy. Washington totally relaxed its "clenched fist;" no part of the deal compels Iran to do the same. In fact, Tehran refuses to reciprocate, getting its fair share of Washington's good-vibe foreign policy.

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A. J. Phelps is a pseudonym for an analyst of global affairs and author of international thriller fiction. Check out his debut novel, Havana Dawn.  

Follow him on Twitter at ajphelpsauthor1.
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photo "Russian Bear 'H' Aircraft MOD 45158140" by Photo: RAF/MOD. Licensed under OGL via Commons.