If Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1977 and Callaghan sent a task force to reclaim the islands would the resultant celebrations tempt him to call an election in '78 and win?
It’s not impossible to see.
Maybe. It’s not impossible to see. That would be an interesting point of diversion. I’d like to see someone with more knowledge of British politics go on the effects down the line.
If the Argentines attack in March or April 1979, could that be a "spring surprise" allowing Callaghan to win in May?
The junta was very anti communist I think the USSR would probably abstainYou want it...
Feb 1977. Argentina invades Falklands Islands. Callaghan orders task force led by Ark Royal to recapture them. Foreign Secretary David Owen goes to UN to get support for military action. US sides with UK while USSR objects.
The junta was very anti communist I think the USSR would probably abstain
This has a bit on Russia's involvement. Apparently, they didn't do much, though they did provide a tiny amount of military hardware, plus abstain from an anti-Argentina vote at the UN.
There is another story that the Soviet submarines were there to keep an eye on things so British Intelligence spread misinformation of Superb's movements to align with the actual Soviet submarines. Allegedly.There are also suggestions that there were Soviet subs helping the RN by trailing their coats off the River Plate, pretending to be HMS Superb.
I think the Soviets at the time had some sort of trade agreement with the Argentina that might have predisposed them to that side? Again, this is sort of patched together from blurred memories.
This has a bit on Russia's involvement. Apparently, they didn't do much, though they did provide a tiny amount of military hardware, plus abstain from an anti-Argentina vote at the UN.
It is interesting to read how often people don´t understand that Russia is not the Soviet Union.
It's the successor state with similar ambitions and back then it was the dominant member. De Gaulle called the USSR La Russie.
I don't...
´similar ambitions´as you wrote and i am pretty sure that the Russian Federation is not trying to start a communist world revolution or something similar.
But now we are moving into current politics and should stop here.