- Cuba
- Nicaragua
- Venezuela
Our perpetually angry National Security Advisor introduced us to this catchy new phrase “Troika of Tyranny” in a speech November 1, 2018 in Miami with the clever Russian reference and reminiscent of the “Axis of Evil” from the good old days.
Lessons learned and forgotten
| Cuba: As Nicholas Kristof put it in the NYT: “… is neither the demonic tyranny conjured by some conservatives nor the heroic worker paradise romanticized by some on the left. It’s simply a tired little country, no threat to anyone, with impressive health care and education but a repressive police state and a dysfunctional economy.” It’s time after sixty years of failed policies to try recognition and cooperation. |
| Nicaragua: President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo strongly resemble the U.S. supported Somoza dictatorial regime deposed in 1979. The Ortegas now control all government agencies: National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the armed forces, the judiciary, the police and the prosecutor’s office. Fear of a communist country so close led the U.S. to support the “Contras” after the communist leaning Sandinistas took over. Protests are now brewing amid a tanking economy and hardship. In standard tyrant response the Ortegas have implemented brutal crackdowns. In December our president signed the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act, or Nica Act, a law aimed at crippling Mr. Ortega’s presidency economically by cutting off lending from international development banks. The U.S. does not have a good track record with meddling in other’s affairs. Our Nicaraguan strategy seems like déjà vu and not recommended by history! |
| Venezuela: Here is the real test! Once the richest country in South America with the world’s largest known supply of oil reserves and after twenty years of mismanagement starting with a new constitution in 1999 the country is on the doorstep of failure and now has dueling presidents. Venezuela needs help and the current U.S. administration sees an opportunity to rescue the lonely, weak, and angry U.S. president with a major distraction. |
What will this administration do with this Troika of opportunity? Meddle of course – already started. Troops? If things continue with the sagging polls, look for it!
Meddling doesn’t work and definitely leading with troops (and drones etc.) will be a disaster.