4.  Chávez Recognizes Georgia Separatists

Venezuela has officially recognized two pro-Russian separatist regions of Georgia in exchange for the opportunity to purchase weapons from Russia. Prior to the announcement, Russia had been one of the few countries to support the separatist efforts of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Nicaragua is another), and it went to war with Georgia over the regions a little over a year ago. The agreement came earlier today after a meeting between Hugo Chávez and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at Medvedev's home in Moscow. "We will supply Venezuela the weapons that Venezuela asks for," Medvedev told reporters. "Why not tanks? Without question, we have good tanks. If our friends want our tanks, we will deliver them." Venezuela has already purchased more than $4 billion worth of arms from Russia, and Chávez has stated that he intends to purchase more in order to protect against increased cooperation between the United States and Colombia. In response, the Georgian government has dismissed the announcement.

Read original story in CBS News | Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009