News Analysis In a time when the United States is giving an inordinate amount of attention to deterring Russia in Eastern Ukraine, China continues to firm up its position in America’s own backyard. Argentina officially became the 141st country to join the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as “One Belt, One Road”) infrastructure investment project on Feb. 6. Argentine President Alberto Fernández met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, after the former attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. According to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries within the framework of the BRI. The stated goals are to promote construction of the BRI in Argentina and facilitate closer cooperation across a host of economic sectors and technology exchange programs. The deal represents funds in excess of over $23 …