The law that marginalizes the new Venezuelan Parliament, which will be formed on January 5 2011, and enables Hugo Chávez to legislate unchecked for 18 months, together with other measures the current National Assembly is fast-tracking in the final days of its term, offers a revealing insight into Venezuela’s political climate.

From John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune:  Germany and France, meeting with Russia in Deauville, northern France, last week, signaled that they planned to make such three-cornered get-togethers on international foreign policy and security matters routine

From RIA Novosti:  Russia's S-300 air defense systems, which Moscow refused to deliver to Iran following a new round of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic, could be sold to Venezuela instead, a Russian arms trade expert said on Friday.

A senior Russian general says his country is contemplating basing strategic bombers in the Caribbean, either on a Venezuelan island or Cuba. 

"Bush is to the left of me now. Comrade Bush announced he will buy shares in private banks." - President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in China for a state visit with President Hu Jintao.  CNN reported that Chavez is expected to push for an arms deal that would see Venezuela buy K-8 training planes from China.  A potential deal would follow

Four Russian warships have set sail for Venezuela from their home base of Severomorsk in the Arctic. The fleet, which includes the nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great), is expected to undertake joint naval operations with Venezuela this November, reports BBC.

Two Russian Tu-160 Bombers have arrived in Venezuela to conduct training exercises according to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, reports BBC.  This comes after news that Russia plans to send a naval fleet to conduct training operations in Venezuela's territorial waters this Novem