Global News Updates, Administered Each IG Quarter

[Il Duce [Dax]]

South America, throughout the 1990s and early turn of the century, maintained a temperament of relative peace and security following decades of serving as a battleground for Cold War proxy-wars and American hegemony. The new millennium, thanks to rapid globalization, has transformed the continent to one of balanced politics giving way to often polarized ideologies in an increasingly non-polar world.

The end of the Cold War brought with it a sudden shift in South American politics from one of right-wing American shield to left-wing socialist sympathizers who resent American hegemony over the continent. As the century matures, socialism has gained a strong foothold in the continent and while none as radical as Communism, has paved the way for counterbalances to that influence in the form of radical anti-communist sentiment from various places.

By far the most dynamic of the South American powers is Brazil who, in addition to ever-expanding global influence, has benefited greatly from oil wealth and massive natural resources inherent within the country. With the introduction of nuclear power and economic and political agreements coming from all over the world - as far-reaching as Canada, China, Germany, and Saudi Arabia - Brazil's capability to project it's influence only appears poised to expand. Already, Brazil has shown itself willing to be an economic and military juggernaut, with oil and resource revenues being raked in by the minute, as well as predominantly French-sponsored equipment overhauls; a global mediator in conflicts such as the Japanese-Korean row, the Sino-Mongolian War, and the near-war between Venezuela and Guyana; and a true diplomatic power via it's aggressive push for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Combined with a comprehensive partnership with America, recently signed between Obama and Brazilian President Neves, Brazil will enter the fold within the next decade as the world's premier Latin powers.

Others on the continent, however, have not enjoyed such peace and secure relations. The recent dubious election of President Saà in Argentina sent shockwaves through the Americas with his vehement anti-Communist rhetoric, military buildup, and promise of re-taking the Falkland Islands, prompting fierce condemnation from nations such as Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador, while sparking a small-scale military build up in the region.

Another catastrophic event that threatened to destabilize the South American continent was recent twin bombings in Caracas, which, after a "thorough investigation" by Hugo Chavez and his regime nearly saw the invasion of Guyana, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. With American, Canadian, British, and Dutch warships in the threatre immediately following the declaration, however, the attack was called off. Brazilian investigations later attributed the attacks to rival drug lords, though the action earned Venezuela scathing criticism by regional neighbors and the wider international community in general.

[Il Duce [Dax]]

2q2009

As the Argentinian Affair rocked the southern cone of the continent, a military build up was seen on both sides of the Andean mountains, initiated, presumably, by the government in Buenos Aires. Though all sources indicate that there has been no violence in the region, tensions are high as the risk of military confrontation grips the relatively peaceful continent for the second time in as many years.

The conference in Australia regarding the Venezuelan declaration of intent to use military action against neighboring Guyana has been stonewalled, as disagreements arise regarding the use of international monitors and training aid to Venezuela to combat it's drug trafficking epidemic. Venezuela argues extensive state oversight to international boots on the ground, while Brazilian and Australian delegates counter with the ineffectiveness of the Caracas government in the past. While negotiations are ongoing, the positive note is that violence seems to have ceased.