Axis of Unity: Venezuela, Iran and the Threat to America

Two of the most prominent trends in world affairs over the past decade―the projection of American power abroad and high energy prices―have made for some strange bedfellows. Flush with oil revenues, autocratic governments in Venezuela, Iran, and Russia have tried to counter U.S. influence not only in Latin America but around the world. In"Axis of Unity", Sean Goforth explores the motives and contributions of each nation to the partnership. Venezuela and Iran's self-declared "axis of unity" in 2007 forms the alliance's base. Caracas and Tehran support each other's attempt at regional domination through a series of illicit ties. Russia provides the alliance's superstructure, shielding Iran from Western ire and selling billions of dollars worth of sophisticated arms to Caracas and Tehran. The regional repercussions of this alliance, Goforth asserts, are far-reaching. Venezuela and Iran utilise various forces―the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Quds Force―to attack regional competitors, chiefly Colombia and Israel. The key to dismantling the threat, Goforth demonstrates, is a flexible foreign policy. America should take a bold stand against Russia in Eastern Europe, where leaders seek strong U.S. backing, and adopt a long-term plan for reducing the influence of Venezuela and Iran in Latin America and the Middle East. Axis of Unity will be of great value to readers interested in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, security studies, and the geopolitics of rising powers.

Two of the most prominent trends in world affairs over the past decade—the projection of American power abroad and high energy prices—have made for some strange bedfellows. Flush with oil revenues, autocratic governments in Venezuela, Iran, and Russia have tried to counter U.S. influence not only in Latin America but around the world.

In Axis of Unity, Sean Goforth explores the motives and contributions of each nation to the partnership. Venezuela and Iran’s self-declared “axis of unity” in 2007 forms the alliance’s base. Caracas and Tehran support each other’s attempt at regional domination through a series of illicit ties. Russia provides the alliance’s superstructure, shielding Iran from Western ire and selling billions of dollars worth of sophisticated arms to Caracas and Tehran.

The regional repercussions of this alliance, Goforth asserts, are far-reaching. Venezuela and Iran utilize various forces—the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Quds Force—to attack regional competitors, chiefly Colombia and Israel. The key to dismantling the threat, Goforth demonstrates, is a flexible foreign policy. America should take a bold stand against Russia in Eastern Europe, where leaders seek strong U.S. backing, and adopt a long-term plan for reducing the influence of Venezuela and Iran in Latin America and the Middle East.

Axis of Unity will be of great value to readers interested in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, security studies, and the geopolitics of rising powers.

Two most prominent trends in world affairs over past decade - the projection of American power abroad and high energy prices - have made for some strange bedfellows. Flush with oil revenues, autocratic governments in Venezuela, Iran, and Russia have tried to counter U.S. influence not only in Latin America and around the world. In Axis of Unity, Sean Goforth explores motives and contributions of each nation to the partnership. Venezuela and Iran's self-declared "axis of unity" in 2007 forms the alliance's base. Caracas and Tehran support each other's attempt at regional domination through a series of illicit ties. Russia provides the alliance's superstructure, shielding Iran from Western ire and selling billions of dollars worth of sophisticated arms to Caracas and Tehran. Regional repercussions of this alliance, Goforth asserts, are far-reaching. Venezuela and Iran utilize various forces - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Quds Force - to attack regional competitors, chiefly Colombia and Israel. The key to dismantling the threat, Goforth demonstrates, is a flexible foreign policy. America should take a bold stand against Russia in Eastern Europe, where leaders seek strong U.S. backing, and adopt a long-term plan for reducing the influence of Venezuela and Iran in Latin America and the Middle East Dedication 8 Contents 10 Introduction 12 1 Iran: A Sphere of Influence by Other Means 20 2 The Hugo Sphere 32 3 “Poisonous Fruit” 48 4 Iran Infiltrates the Americas 64 5 A VIRUS of Instability 74 6 Russia’s Geostrategic Conundrum 88 7 A VIRUS Spawns 104 8 “Going Out” with China 116 9 Cracks in the Facade 130 10 Inoculation 142 Conclusion 162 Acknowledgments 174 Notes 176 Selected Bibliography 206 Index 228 About the Author 234 Introduction Iran: a sphere of influence by other means The Hugo sphere "Poisonous fruit" Iran penetrates the Americas A virus of instability Russia's geostrategic conundrum A virus spawns "Going out" with China Cracks in the facade Inoculation Conclusion.