Russia, Cuba: Renewing Military Assistance

Russia will help Cuba modernize its aging military equipment and provide training to the country's military personnel, according to Chief of Russia's General Staff Nikolai Makarov on Sept. 18. Russia has long helped Cuba in military affairs and the latest developments are just another turn in the pattern followed during the Cold War. Although maintaining a military presence in Latin America has logistical and financial problems for Russia, it will still force the United States to address the Russian presence in its regional backyard.