Its not news that the US economy is on the skids. And that has Global implications. Additionally, a weak economy is also an opportunity for our enemies. At this moment in time, the National Economy and National Security are bound together such that the economy must be considered in conjunction with and as if it were, a national security threat.
Because our enemies are attempting to exploit our current vulnerability.
Two of our enemies, Russia and Venezuela are conducting a joint Naval exercise in South America.
...despite Chávez's conciliatory words, Obama faces the task of blunting the pretensions of a country intent on building alliances with American adversaries, including Iran and, critics say, Marxist guerrillas in neighboring Colombia. Obama also faces more immediate worries, including two wars, looming questions about Iran's nuclear ambitions and a resurgent Russia.
And about those Iranian nuclear ambitions
The announcement Wednesday is Iran's latest defiance of U.N. demands that Tehran halt its controversial nuclear program.
The Iranian official, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, says Iran will continue to install centrifuges and enrich uranium in order to produce nuclear fuel for the country's future nuclear power plants.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to test nuclear-capable missiles
Iran has successfully launched a rocket called "Kavosh 2," Iran's state media reported on Wednesday, displaying the Islamic state's advances in ballistics at a time when the West is worried about its nuclear ambitions...
State television did not give any further details about "Kavosh 2," which means "Explorer 2," saying details about the home-made rocket will be announced later. "The rocket was launched to register and send correct environmental data and (to test) separation of the engine from the body," state radio said.
The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons.
Russia, wants President Obama to negotiate with Iran
Russian officials are in contact with the incoming Obama administration, urging it to normalize relations with Iran and reach an agreement over its disputed nuclear program.
Russia is hoping that “the new administration understands that there is no alternative to the political process and dialogue at all levels,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said today in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Moscow. Asked if Obama would have to normalize ties with Iran to reach a nuclear agreement, he replied: “Yes, absolutely.”
But what is there to negotiate? The US's cards have been on the table for a long time: Stop developing nuclear weapons and the US will normalize relations. It's pretty simple. But Russia has an interest in Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
It doesn't take much to see that Russia is spending a lot of time challenging or attempting to impede US National interests.
They do not aid al Qaeda, it is true, but they attempt to exploit our distraction with the Islamists. And they do support Iran, Venezuela, Syria and North Korea with weapons and advisers.
The good news is that the current drop in oil prices is affecting the economies of Russia, Venezuela and Iran for the worse. But there are forces that can counter that. One of which is OPEC.
Crude oil rose in New York after Russia, the world's second-largest exporter, said it may coordinate production cuts with OPEC to shore up prices.
Energy is both a National Security issue and an economic issue as well.
Making sure we exploit our oil reserves creates jobs and insulates us from such moves by Russia and OPEC.
A weak economy and bold moves by our enemies are signs a storm is gathering.
And Russia is a rainmaker....
