The New & Old Blend of US Foreign Policy

[Drew Phipps]

Consequently, in the years to come, the United States will not only have abandoned the «Greater Middle East», but may engage in a major war against Venezuela, the only middle-range power which could compete with and threaten their exploitation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Why spend money on bullets when the US can just wait? Sounds like it's time to "send in the bankers."


http://www.aol.com/article/2016/05/15/ve.../21377472/

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"Venezuela enters state of emergency as its economy melts down
May 15th 2016 9:27AM


Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has declared a 60-day state of emergency in hopes of salvaging the country's disintegrating economy. Economic mismanagement, frequent shortages of basic goods and the crash of prices for the country's once-prosperous oil exports have left Venezuelans in crisis and their government strapped for cash. Maduro is expanding on his previously-declared economic state of emergency from last January.


It's not yet clear exactly what this expanded state of emergency entails, but last year, the state of emergency gave the country's security forces more control over the people of several regions near the Venezuelan-Colombian border. Dissatisfaction with Maduro's regime has bolstered the country's opposition movement, which is currently calling for a referendum on Maduro's term. U.S. intelligence officials recently told reporters the country could be headed for a total political collapse."

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Maduro, despite being the Socialist Party's elected President, has "ruled by decree" (whatever that means, it doesn't sound particularly socialist) five times, counting the current time frame. He accuses the demonstrations in Venezuela as being "fascist" and "sponsored by the US."