Russia has been in the doldrums for many years, but with Russia under the control of strongman Vladimir Putin and America careening from one disaster to the next, under the control of 90 pound weakling Barack Obama, the tables are turning.
Some now say that the former KGB officer has brought the Cold War back to lfe. His recent successes in Syria, Iran, Iraq and other middle Eastern countries combined with the mess that passes for American foreign policy has brightened Russia’s star.
On Wednesday, Russia made a new, provocative foreign advancement. Following the lead of Iran, which threatened to sink the US Fifth Fleet in the Middle East, and China, which sent ships into waters between Australia and Indonesia, a Russian warship docked in Havana without explanation from Communist Cuba or its state media.
In a scene straight out of The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the Viktor Leonov CCB-175, a 91.5 meter long 14.5 meters wide intelligence-gathering ship docked in the cruise ship area of the port of Havana.
Nobody seems to know why the Russians are there and what their mission is.
It must be more than a coincidence that Russia, China and Iran are testing the resolve of the USA and other allies, in such a short space of time.
This is what happens when a superpower takes its eye off the ball and hands control over to a novice.
The Vishnya class is an intelligence ship carrying a crew of approximately 200 sailors. She first saw service in the Black Sea back in 1988. Seven years later the ship was transferred to the northern fleet, according to Russian media sources.
Unlike previous Cuban dockings of visiting Russian warships, Cuban authorities and state media made no mention of the Viktor Leonov CCB-175 or its mission.
With America showing weakness, inability to make decisions, unwilliing or unable to protect its overseas missions, and destroying its own military for political reasons, others are flexing their muscles. Power vacuums are an open invitation to act.
The ship’s presence also comes just as Cuba’s old ally, Venezuela, faces unprecedented violent protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
It could be a sign that Russia sees what is going on around the world, and it doesn’t like what it sees. Unlike the US, though, it is prepared to act.
Perhaps we are seeing the handover of power to Russia. Let’s hope that is not the case.
