The Moscow Connection: Latin America's Relations with Russia

America's "backyard" was a geopolitical and actual battlefield between the world's two superpowers and their proxies. Russia has found common cause with countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and others that desire to offset US domination both within their own countries and the region at large. Economically, Russian firms such as Rosneft and Gasprom have made inroads in the Brazilian, Argentine, and Venezuelan oil and gas markets. Politically, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his LAC counterparts have made a series of high profile state visits in recent years. After a retreat from LAC following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it now appears that Russia is again looking to spread its influence in the region. Join the Forum on International Affairs (FIA) as we dig deeper into the foreign affairs of Latin American states and their strategies for engaging with Russia.Questions to Consider:1) What do LAC countries gain from closer relationships with Russia?2) How does Russian involvement in LAC differ between countries based on country size, political regime, incumbent political party, and geographic location?3) Given the size of its economy can Russia sustain involvement within LAC outside of the energy sector?4) Is Russian strategy in LAC characterized by long- or short-term considerations?5) Can Russia play a meaningful role in LAC given its power vis-a-vis the United States, China, and the European Union?Recommended Readings (with links):The Soviet Union fought the Cold War in Nicaragua. Now Putin’s Russia is back, Washington Post (April 8, 2017)https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/the-soviet-union-fought-the-cold-war-in-nicaragua-now-putins-russia-is-back/2017/04/08/b43039b0-0d8b-11e7-aa57-2ca1b05c41b8_story.html?utm_term=.6d5ebd97d487Russia Wants to Be Latin America's New BFF, Bloomberg (September 18, 2017)https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-09-18/russia-wants-to-be-latin-america-s-new-bffRussia looks to write a new chapter with Latin America, DW (May 10, 2017)http://www.dw.com/en/russia-looks-to-write-a-new-chapter-with-latin-america/a-40820763Russia is meddling in Latin America, too, The Hill (November 20, 2017)http://thehill.com/opinion/international/361148-russias-is-meddling-in-latin-america-tooWhat's Putin's Game in the Western Hemisphere?, Americas Quarterly (Winter 2015)http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/whats-putins-game-western-hemisphereKennan Cable No.20: Understanding Russian Priorities in Latin America, Wilson Center (February 3, 2017)https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/kennan-cable-no20-understanding-russian-priorities-latin-americaThe New Russian Engagement with Latin America: Strategic Position, Commerce, and Dreams of the Past, Strategic Studies Institute and US Army War College Press (June 2015)http://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/pdffiles/pub1275.pdf