Hugo Chavez and Ahmadinejad - Open Enemies of America

The leaders of two of OPEC’s member countries are united in their hatred of America.  Over the last few years they’ve signed agreements to share investments and technology with each other in an ever-strengthening bond between them.  While the two leaders are really at different tends of the political spectrum, their overriding commonality is being anti-America.  So far, their actions have been mostly political rhetoric and behinds the scenes manipulations in an attempt to discredit America or undermine its interests.  With a significant financial portfolio in oil and the price of oil going up continually, what could these two small nations do with that money to further harm the United States of America?

Iran has long been a supporter of Al Qaeda.  Though its public claims have often been at odds with this support, the financial and logistical aid to the terrorist organization, helping members travel to and from Afghanistan and housing senior leadership members within their borders, has been going on a long time.  Iran supports other terrorist organizations in the Middle East as well, including Hezbollah which it created and has been a frequent ally of Al Qaeda.  It is not a real leap of logic that Iran could move to support terrorist attacks on America or American interests.  They were helping Al Qaeda before and after the September 11^thattacks, although it appeared they had no direct knowledge of the planning for that particular attack.

Chavez has been more brazen about his support of Al Qaeda.  Right after the terrorist attacks on New York in 2001, Chavez arranged for a donation of $1 million dollars to be sent to the Taliban government in September of 2001 right after condemning terrorist attacks, but claiming the United States had brought the attacks upon themselves.  Behind closed doors, Chavez was impressed by Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network.  Even before the attacks, Chavez had tried to get in contact with the organization but had failed to attract their attention.  After the million dollar “humanitarian” donation, a channel opened up between Chavez and Al Qaeda.  At times in the following months, he not only communicated with the organization, but also welcomed high ranking members to Venezuela as guests.

Fast forward to now and these two organizations that have supported Al Qaeda in the past are now joining forces, aligning their nations along a common path of fomenting discontent with and attacking the United States in public forums.  Both countries claim America is imperialist and must be resisted.  How much of a stretch is it to believe they will or already are providing funds and supplies to the Al Qaeda organization?  The organization is still very much alive and, with the passing of Osama bin Laden, may be much more receptive to outside contributions and support.  The world governments have done a good job drying up funds for Al Qaeda, but these two nations with an anti-American agenda may be pushing cash through a loophole to keep the terrorists alive and well to attack America again.