In an alternative universe, Moscow decides that if Washington insists on expanding NATO into Russia's backyard, the only way Moscow can get the respect it naturally wants is by establishing a counter-alliance. Talks with Venezuela and Bolivia begin immediately, not because Russia actually has any interest in defending them, but because they demand the talks--understandably enough, given the pressures against them from Washington that they perceive. Moscow calculates that it can trade refusal to sign them up for Washington's rejection of NATO membership for Georgia and, more importantly, Ukraine. But Moscow misses the electoral campaign utility of a tiff with Moscow for Republicans, while Washington happily turns up the heat. When beleaguered Mexico, burned by disadvantageous trade deals and the endless American demand for drugs, suddenly announces that it has joined up as a Russian ally, Washington is stunned. Given American relations with Ukraine and Poland and Georgia, Moscow honestly cannot understand what the fuss is all about...
Please note: The above paragraph is fiction. No responsible elected official would play such silly games. Even Hollywood wouldn't touch a plot this ridiculous. Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to give them a call...
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