Posted on 09/22/2015 5:57:34 AM PDT by Wiz-Nerd
Russia is to deploy 2,000 military personnel to its new air base near the Syrian port city of Latakia, signalling the scale of Moscow’s involvement in the war-torn country.
The deployment “forms the first phase of the mission there”, according to an adviser on Syria policy in Moscow.
The force will include fighter aircraft crews, engineers and troops to secure the facility, said another person briefed on the matter.
Three western defence officials agreed that the Russian deployment tallied with the numbers needed to establish a forward air base similar to those built by western militaries in Afghanistan.
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
Barry wants Assad out for caliphate purposes, right?
That is what I thought, but this game is getting more complicated. Who’s on first has me stumped :-)
Moscow will reportedly provide Russian troops in Syria with an advanced antiaircraft missile system as part of its military support for Syrian president Bashar Assad.
"This system is the advanced version used by Russia, and it's meant to be operated by Russians in Syria," a Western diplomat who is regularly briefed on US, Israeli, and other intelligence assessments told Reuters.
And as The Daily Beast's Michael Weiss points out, any antiaircraft missiles deployed by Russian troops in Syria won't be directed at ISIS, since ISIS has no air force.
In fact, none of the rebels do — only government forces have access to aircraft.
Russia has substantially increased its military presence in Syria over the past two weeks under the guise of helping the embattled Assad fight ISIS and other extremists. ..."
(Excerpt) Read more at Business Insider ...
Russia Is Building A Massive Military Base On Ukrainian Border
Russia is building a military base along the Ukrainian border, signaling its preparing for long-term support of the pro-Russian separatists fighting for Ukraine. The massive base - scheduled for completion in April - will house ammunition depots and barracks for several thousand soldiers, and will be used to train soldiers, reported Reuters. The Reuters reporter investigating the new base was temporarily detained and accused of being a Ukrainian spy. Russian officials didn't respond to Reuters questions about the purpose of the base and whether it's connected to the fight for Ukraine. ..."
Even now with the Russians on the verge of combat operations in Syria, the White House still says it believes that they’re there to fight ISIS. John Kerry says that his Russian counterpart told him that the Russians are “only interested in fighting” the Islamic State. Other administration officials hold out hope for a grand U.S.-Russia coalition against ISIS.
But that’s nonsense: Vladimir Putin landed troops in order to protect his investment in Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad.
The White House should know better, because no matter what U.S. officials say about fighting the Islamic State, Obama’s underlying goal in Syria is the same as Putin’s—to protect Assad.
That aligns Washington with Moscow—and with Iran, as it happens—and pits all against Israel, which sees the Iranian axis as an existential threat. ..."
(more at link above)
A Russian sub with nuclear missiles in port in Syria.
Russian anti-aircraft defenses.
Russian fighter aircraft.
Russian attack helicopters.
Russian T-90 tanks.
I’ve seen reports of Russian self-propelled artillery.
A couple dozen Russian ground attack aircraft.
I’d say the Russians are getting pretty serious about this.
Maybe. But here’s a report of 12 SU-25 ground attack planes - http://news.yahoo.com/russia-deployed-28-combat-aircraft-syria-us-officials-173419582.html
Obama has totally screwed up the middle east. Rubio predicted the Russians would be in Syria in force...and lo and behold...here they come...first the aircraft and now 2000 troops. The fall of dictators, caused primarily through the INSTIGATION and AGITATION of Obama, caused a vacuum that has been quickly filled in by enemies of the west and especially enemies of the USA.
Obama is a treasonous SOB.
“That aligns Washington with Moscow—and with Iran, as it happens—and pits all against Israel, which sees the Iranian axis as an existential threat. ...”
Look at the map of rebel/ISIS held territory. If Israel wants to strike Iranian nuclear facilities they have to do now while Syria and northern Iraq are in chaos, held by rebels without an Air Force. Assad’s territory is a speed bump. And, Assad would hugely benefit politically and garner increased military support from Iran and Russia if it happened. Assad’s forces would watch it happen.
Trump: Iran Deal Requires U.S. Protecting Iran in Event of Israeli Strike
by Jacob Kornbluh
Sept 2, 2015
In a phone interview with CNN Tuesday evening, Trump claimed that there’s “something in the Iran deal” that “people don’t understand” saying if someone attacks Iran, “we have to come to their defense.”
“Does that include Israel?” Trump asked. “And most people say yes, they don’t have an exclusion for Israel. So if Israel attacks Iran, according to that deal, I believe, the way it reads, unless they have a codicil or they have something to it, that we have to fight with Iran against Israel.” ..."
Trump was most probably referring to language highlighted by the opponents of the deal. On page 142, the deal includes a clause that states, “Co-operation through training and workshops to strengthen Iran’s ability to protect against, and respond to nuclear security threats, including sabotage, as well as to enable effective and sustainable nuclear security and physical protection systems.”
Washington-based Center for Security Policy asserted that Annex III appears “to commit the United States and other world powers to the defense of Iran’s nuclear program.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.