Much has been written about the implications of Israel’s devastating attacks against Hezbollah for Iranian policy in the Middle East, but less has been said about their consequences for a rogue state in the Western Hemisphire.
IMFAT -- Many will assume the regime in Venezuela fears no external developments given its complete disregard for international sanctions and global condemnation, most recently in response to a fabricated election victory that was dismissed by virtually the entire democratic world.
Ever since Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999, Venezuela and Iran have viewed each other as something much grander than partners and bedfellows. The self-proclaimed “G2” have sought, assiduously, ways to bail out each other’s economies and thus jointly protect themselves from the effects of Western sanctions against their oil sectors.
But while Iran has been a useful mentor to Maduro on how to bypass sanctions effectively, the reality is the two countries never managed to boost trade volumes to a meaningful level.