1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Argentina is apparently thinking that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Or that is what it looks like. Despite the fact that the UK put them in their place in the 1982 war, Argentina has decided to attempt to re-assert sovereignty over the islands.

The reason this time? Oil. What could be lots of oil.

The latest moves by Argentina involve declaring a maritime exclusion zone- a step short of blockade. The have started requiring permits for any and all vessels that wish to sail in the waters of the Falklands.

They have also started boarding vessels that are carrying anything that can be used for oil drilling and detaining them. This includes stopping the British Flagged Thor Leader, which was stopped and detained for carrying a load of pipes.

There are also reports that the Argentine Air Force is shadowing the movements of the US owned, but Panama Flagged oil rig Ocean Guardian as it is being moved to the Falklands to begin drilling. Currently (as of the time of this writing) the Ocean Guardian is still listed as enroute to the Falklands.

Estimates are that there could be an oil field of 60 billion barrels around the Falklands. The North Sea field  so far has produced 40 billion barrels.

Argentina is having financial difficulties. They have $13 billion of foreign loans due. Argentina "tore up" an agreement to share oil finds off the Falklands with the UK. For Argentina they want all, and for the UK to have nothing.

1980's Again? - Falklands War II

Russia: I Love the 70's (or 80's)

Russia has made some interesting moves lately, making me wonder personally if they are trying to resurrect some of the "good ole' days" of the Soviet Union.

Several months ago, Russian bombers decided to "play games" with US Forces, including "playing chicken" with the USS Nimitz- something that was a bit unusual at the time.

Last week, Russia decided to send Tu-160 strategic bombers into Venezuela. Then they ran exercises with those bombers, and Russian naval assets in the Caribbean. (Is it just me or does the Tu-160 look almost exactly like a B-1B, down to the four engines and sweepable wings? -- I wonder if they "borrowed" the plans. Pictures Below.)

Russia has struck a deal with Syria to renovate and re-equip a Syrian port for use by the Russian Navy. The port is in Tartus, Syria. From the DEBKAfile:

Russian naval contingent, led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, left Murmansk on the Barents Sea Aug. 18 to dock at the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus Saturday, Aug. 23. It includes the Russian Navy’s biggest missile cruiser Moskva and at least four nuclear missile submarines.

Israel is expressing "concern" about Russian sales of arms to Iran.

Replace the word Russia, with "Soviet Union" and this reads like something from the 1970's or 80's.

Russia: I Love the 70's (or 80's)

Causus Belli? Shots Fired From Venezuela to Columbia?

It's all over-- Nothing to see-- Move along--- Peace has broken out-- See Updates Below--

This is just Breaking (14:26 CST):

Fox news is reporting that shots have been fired by Venezuela across the boarder into Columbia and that Venezuelan troops have crossed the border into Columbia and may have returned back to Venezuela.

Apparently Columbia TV is showing Video of the troops crossing the border.

UPDATE (15:19 CST):
There is now confirmation from Columbia that they have killed FARC leader Ivan Rios.

“We can confirm that Ivan Rios, a member of the FRAC’s secretariat, died in this
operation by the army and the CTI,” said a Colombia official.

This from Fox:

Local Colombian media showed live pictures from the border where a few
Venezuelan troops allegedly crossed into Colombia and fired shots.

UPDATE (16:20 CST):
The BBC is NOW reporting that everything is now fine in South America, and that the leaders of Columbia, Venezuela and Ecuador are all going to sit down and sing "Kum-By-Ya." (Ok, I made up the Kum-By-Ya part) I guess I can start my weekend in peace.

UPDATE (16:24 CST):
Now Nicaragua is getting into this Give Peace a Chance/Kum-By-Ya moment... They have re-established diplomatic ties with Columbia.

Causus Belli? Shots Fired From Venezuela to Columbia?

Terrorist Group Planned to Lobby Barack Hussein Obama

During the Columbian Air Force raid on FARC (terrorist) over this past weekend at least a couple of laptops were grabbed. Columbia has been quick to provide the data from the laptops as it supports the view that FARC has been being supported financially by Hugo Chavez.

Today, though, I came across interesting information that has come out regarding FARC's plan to lobby Barack Hussein Obama.

According to a communiqué sent from Reyes, 48 hours before he became a corpse, the "Gringo" associates of FARC were scheduling a sit down with Barack Hussein Obama, to lobby him to communicate his "interest in discussing these topics" ("comunicara su interés en conversar estos temas"). The communiqué goes on to say that the "gringo" associates of FARC believe that Barak Hussein Obama will be the next President and that he will not support the "Plan Columbia" or the Columbia Free Trade agreement. Reyes says that he told the "gringo" associates that he is glad to meet with all governments but that he wants a "public announcement" that the US is willing to talk.

Does this indicate that Barack Hussein Obama has done anything wrong? No, but it raises questions that I personally would like answered.
Who are these "Gringo" (presumably "American") associates of FARC?
How do these "Gringo's" rate a "sit down" with a Presidential Candidate? Isn't that privilege usually that is reserved for big-time contributors?
Did the "Gringo's" make a campaign contribution? If so, how much? And where did the money come from?
Mr. Barrack Hussein Obama, did you know that you were being lobbied on behalf of terrorists? Or that a terrorist organization is wanting a sit-down?
Where is the main-stream media on this?

Digital copies of the documents from the Columbia Government can be found by scrolling through this linked page.

More Good Reading on this:
Stop The ACLU and Gribbit's Word

H/T- Ace

Terrorist Group Planned to Lobby Barack Hussein Obama

Terrorists with Uranium? US Involved in Attack?

Tensions are running high. Troops are gathering at the border. Cross border strikes against terrorists. Terrorists attempting to get Uranium.

The Middle East? No, it's South America.

The news coming about the conflict between Columbia, Venezuela, and Ecuador is not good. The US is backing Columbia, while Cuba is supportive of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela and Ecuador. Add to all of this, allegations of Hugo Chavez funding terrorists (FARC).

However, the most interesting questions that are coming from this situation so far are, how involved was the US and did FARC manage to obtain Uranium?

As far as US involvement goes, the US Southern Command said that it would "neither confirm nor deny" any involvement and then added that "We do provide intelligence support to partner nations but I can't get into details on operations." This could be a legitimate denial, however, Columbia has said that its Air Force was able to pinpoint and hit the camp with missile strikes because of satellite-telephone intercepts. This to me sounds very much like the same methodology that has been used in the past by the US to take out Al Qaeda. Add to this the fact that the US had placed a $5 Million bounty on "Raul Reyes" who was killed in the attack and to me it looks like Columbia may have gotten an assist from the Signal Intelligence guys at Fort Huachuca.

This leaves us with the biggest question of all- Did FARC obtain 50 Kg of Uranium and what did they want to do with it?

There are conflicting reports on this issue. Some reports have stated that FARC DID purchase the 50 Kg of Uranium and others are saying that they TRIED or WANTED to purchase 50 Kg of Uranium.

WHICH IS IT?????? Do we have a terrorist organization out there with a brick of Uranium that they are planning to make a dirty bomb with? Or do we just have a terrorist organization out there with a brick of Uranium that thinks a sale would be a great way to make some extra cash?

Terrorists and Uranium are not words that I personally like putting in the same sentence. These two words together usually mean something VERY bad.

Either situation could be disastrous. FARC having a dirty bomb would allow them to hold a city ransom, or even a small country. FARC having Uranium to sell to the highest bidder --who would probably be another terrorist organization and not the local electrical co-operative-- is also not a scenario I would want to see played out.

While the question of US involvement makes for great spy vs. spy discussion and perhaps the plot of a Clancy book, the question of the Uranium is far more important and needs to be answered.

Do they have it? Did they have it? What are, or where they going to do with it?


See Also: South American "Dust-Up?" Chavez Sells Uranium to Terrorists?

Terrorists with Uranium? US Involved in Attack?

South American "Dust-Up?" Chavez Sells Uranium to Terrorists?

While most of the world is concentrating on the "Horse Race" between the Clinton Political Machine and the "short term" Senator who seems to only believe in "the future and change" --whatever that is-- the "Dogs of War" seem to be straining at their leashes in South America.

Venezuela has now closed it's borders with Columbia. This, after a recall of their diplomats and a severing of diplomatic ties with Columbia and expelling their diplomats. Ecuador has also withdrawn its diplomats from Columbia.

The "Madman" Chavez is massing troops at his boarder. According to reports, some TEN Battalions of Venezuelan troops are now at, or en route to, the Columbian-Venezuelan border.

Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa said over the weekend, "The situation is extremely grave and the Ecuadorean government is disposed to go to the ultimate consequences."

Columbia is now wanting to bring Hugo Chavez to the International Criminal Court on charges of financing and supporting terrorism. Columbia is also alleging that Chavez sold the terrorist organization FARC 50 KILOS of URANIUM. Columbia says captured documents show that the uranium was purchased this month. Chavez is also accused of providing $300 million in funding to FARC.

Columbia says it will submit its evidence to the Organization of American States for forensic analysis.

These events were set in motion over this past weekend when Columbia bombed a terrorist base (FARC) in Ecuador. FARC or the "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia" is a terrorist organization according to the US and EU.

During the raid, Columbia killed "Raul Reyes," the second in command and spokesman for FARC. The US had offered a $5 million bounty for the arrest of Reyes.

This is looking like it has the makings of something serious that may draw the entire western hemisphere into taking sides and drive the price of oil even higher.

South American "Dust-Up?" Chavez Sells Uranium to Terrorists?

Chavez Concedes Loss in His "Make Me a Dictator" Referendum

Hugo Chavez conceded defeat over his Constitutional Reform vote that would have allowed him to be President for life.

For a man with that much ambition though, the question becomes, what is next? Will Chavez now suspend the Constitution and declare dictatorial rule? These questions are sure to be answered in the next few weeks, to be sure.

Chavez Concedes Loss in His "Make Me a Dictator" Referendum