Free Republic

Russia and the United States have tentatively agreed to a weapons inspection program that would allow Russians to visit nuclear sites in America to count missiles and warheads.

Beijing builds ties with Latin countries China is expanding military and economic ties throughout Latin America, taking advantage of a wave of anti-American candidates who have come to power and a U.S. law barring military training and aid to a dozen Latin countries. "China's profile in the region has been ratcheting up sharply," said Thomas Shannon, assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Shannon traveled to China last month to discuss with Chinese leaders their country's growing role in the United States' backyard. He was the first U.S. official in his position to do so. "We thought it was...

A new report by the Congressional Research Service states that China is moving into Latin America to gain access to resources such as oil, copper and iron.Beijing is also seeking to isolate Taiwan by pressing 12 Latin American and Carribean nations that now have diplomatic relations with Taipei to break them and recognize China, the report said.

Workers at Venezuela's state-run oil company are preparing to take part, along with up to 5,000 troops, in a large-scale military exercise. The civilian employees are due to be trained in the use of anti-aircraft and anti-tank rocket launchers, army chief Raul Baduel told a press conference. The operation is aimed at assessing the military training of civilians. Oil workers have also been involved in repairing military equipment that required maintenance. Venezuela Hugo Chaves recently admitted that the US had refused to provide assistance with technology acquired by Venezuela before his rise to power in 1999, including F-16 aircraft. But...