I find this amusing:
Russia hopes to establish its first naval base abroad since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and is looking at Cuba, Vietnam and the Seychelles as possible locations, state-run RIA news agency quoted the navy chief as saying on Friday.
They have a resupply station at Tartus in Syria. I guess Russia is worried about keeping that.
But what cracks me up is the selection. Why would any of these help Russia materially?
Cuba? Does Russia want to exploit the fact that President Obama ignored limits on Russian shorter-range nukes to reintroduce nuclear missiles to Cuba? Does Russia think it might need to interdict American convoys going to NATO Europe? Would Russia defend that embodiment of tin-pot dictators, Hugo Chavez? Seriously, what advantage would Russia get from a base in Cuba?
Vietnam? That's so far from Russia that no potential opponent could be resisted from there. It's a base begging to be destroyed. Or does Russia think it might need to send their Europe-based fleet to the Far East again and would like a secure base to refuel before sending it north? I don't think it would work out any better than the last time the Russian fleet called at Cam Ranh Bay on the way east.
The Seychelles? Are the Russians really eager to fight far-ranging pirates? Do they think they could mess with our presence on Diego Garcia from there? What would be the purpose?
Is the point of a base just to have the base?
If Russia wants a base that matters, they should look to Crete. It's a long shot play, but at least it would matter. If not there, Russia should just get a sports car to impress the babes. Or a weave.
Seriously, what are the Russians thinking?
