But are you surprised that threats against leftist regimes in the region flushes out Nicaragua? You might have your Russian geo-political views shaped by 50's experiences of practising cowering under your school desk, but they had far closer and more recent experience of US adventurism. Brazil is also not a "power" state, they virtually have no military, and they want to stay under the radar. Lula may be of the left but he doesn't want Venezuelan or Bolivian leftists giving the US any excuses. Brazil's main defence is the daunting task of occupying it. But when the US stuffs up in central asia, and finally works out that imported sugar based biofuel is a must, I wouldn't like to be in power or wearing a uniform in Cuba.

Temperate South America, where I mostly was, is nothing like people imagine, in fact I'm reminded of the description of Argentina and Chile as the most American of the European countries.

Australia, my country, was once very close to Argentina and Chile, in fact we were considered as sister countries, but somehow Australians quite forgot South America. That now seems to be changing, partially I think because the long domination of the Australian mental and political landscape by America is fading, partially perhaps because the increasing influence and economic importance of China, both in Australia and South America, forms a common link and partially because we share many interests, similarities and problems.

By the way, it is hard to understate the dislike many (most?) of even the most reasonable, nice and educated South Americans feel towards the USA. Listening to them talk of the results of USA interference in their countries and the direct effects on them, including imprisonment, torture and the death of loved ones, you begin to understand why they feel that way.

Australia and Australians, by the way, in my experience are regarded much more highly, perhaps because quite a few on them spent some years in Australia when they were granted asylum there.

Yes, from the USA point of view these countries really do bear watching. I suspect they will not be that worried if some of their actions cause problems for the USA.