Venezuela and Cuba offers airbases for Russian long-range bombers

Breaking new from AP and on Yahoo News, the headline reads, “Report: Cuba, Venezuela could host Russian bombers “

According to the AP, Venezuela has offered an island to Russia for an airbase for their long-range bombers. The disturbing revelation is in the following:

“Zhikharev said Chavez had offered "a whole island with an airdrome, which we can use as a temporary base for strategic bombers," the agency reported. "If there is a corresponding political decision, then the use of the island ... by the Russian Air Force is possible."

Interfax reported he said earlier that Cuba has air bases with four or five runways long enough for the huge bombers and could be used to host the long-range planes.”

Yes, Cuba has offered airbases as well. So, Russian bombers could be stationed less than 100 miles from the U.S.

This sure does sounds familiar. Let me pick up my trusty history book that Liberal do not read and see what I can find. Oh yes, in the 1960s, the United States elected an untested, young Liberal President named John Kennedy. Eventually, after the failed operation of the Bay of Pigs (which was the U.S. supported then not supported) attempted to squash the rebellion led by Castro, U.S.S.R. tested the leadership of Kennedy and put nuclear weapons in Cuba. Thus, the Cuban Missile Crisis began. The U.S. and U.S.S.R. came the closet to nuclear war more than any other time in history. Eventually, the crisis was averted after concessions made by the U.S. to remove missiles from Turkey and then U.S.S.R removed their missiles from Cuba.

So, what does all this posturing mean by Russia? They attacked Georgia last year. Russia threatens the Western Bloc countries and Europe with cutting of heating oil. They aid and support Iran with their nuclear program. They have befriended Venezuela. Now, they are planning to put bombers in Cuba and Venezuela.

This should concern the U.S. and their allies, especially with a naïve, diplomatically inapt President. Obama and Hillary Clinton have proved themselves to be unprepared and incompetent, since Inauguration. Russia may see a chance to push their influence into South America and return to Cuba.

This could be disastrous for the U.S especially with the intentions Russia has with Iran, unknown and not trusted. Having bombers this close could be power grab or worse.

With history repeating itself, right before our eyes, we need to be vigilant that we do not make the same mistakes we made in the 1960s. By making concession with U.S.S.R. in the 1960s, we showed a great deal of weakness and lost influence in the Middle East by removing missiles in Turkey. We conceded although Russia escalated the crisis with the missiles. Also, we did create the whole diplomatic blunder by intervening in Cuba’s revolution and then not support them, which allowed Castro and Che Guevara to take power.

Obama needs to show strong leadership and strength or Russia will just push him around again. It is one thing if he loses a diplomatic bout concerning countries half the way around the world. It is something completely different when it is in our own backyard.

This could determine whom controls and influences South America for the coming years. Again, history is repeating itself. I remember Reagan having the problem and he took care of it with leadership through strength.

Let’s see if Obama can. He must for all of our sakes.