Crisis Is Brewing Over Russ Missiles

The New York Sun ^ | January 13, 2005 | Michael Mainville

[Bald Eagle777]

A diplomatic crisis is brewing over Russia's potential sale of advanced missiles to Syria, a sworn enemy of Israel accused of supporting Hezbollah and Palestinian Arab terrorists. Israel's Channel Two TV reported yesterday that Russia plans to sell arms to Syria, including shoulder-fired missiles, which could threaten Israeli aircraft. In a separate report, the Russian newspaper Kommersant said the sale would include Iskander-E ground-to-ground missiles, which would give Syria the capability to strike almost anywhere in Israel. ...Russia last sold weapons to Syria two years ago, when Damascus purchased more than $130 million worth of Kornet and Metis anti-tank missiles... Israel's Channel Two reported that the purchase involved Igla SA-18s, one of the most sophisticated shoulder held anti-aircraft missiles available. Israeli officials fear the missiles could end up in the hands of Lebanon's Hezbollah terrorists or Palestinian Arab terrorists... Of perhaps even more concern to Israel would be the acquisition by Syria of Iskander-E missile complexes. The Iskander, mounted on truck launchers and also known as the SS-26, is an updated version of the Soviet-era Scud missile used by Iraq against Israel during the Gulf War. The missile, which reportedly can overcome existing air defense systems, can destroy targets up to 175 miles away. If Iskanders were deployed, for example, near the demarcation line in the Golan Heights area, almost all of Israel's territory, including the Dimona nuclear center in the Negev desert, would be at risk. Each missile has two 1,055-pound warheads and can hit targets with an accuracy of 20 yards.... Successful testing was completed in August and Syria confirmed its interest in buying the systems last week, the paper said.. A cooling of relations between Russia and Israel would reverse 15 years of dramatic improvements in dealings between the two nations.

[Bald Eagle777]

If Russia is able to get away with selling Syria the SS-26s (Iskander-E), the potential situation on the ground will get a little more complicated. These (the -E) have a range of about 280-300 or so km and they can carry a unitary warhead or several submunitions. I wouldn't put it past the Syrians to attempt to kit these out with chemical warheads (should these be "available"). We can't forget that SA-18 shoulder fired AA missiles are also on the table. Russian interest and involvement in the Middle East should be noted and observed carefully. Leave it up to Russia to arm their proxies.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=600263

http://www.missilethreat.com/missiles/ss-x-26_russia.html

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/theater/ss-26.htm

[BenLurkin]

Wasn't Kerrry in Syria last week? Heard that they liked him a lot.

More evidence that their regime has gotta go.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Who is Russ Missiles?

[GOP_1900AD]

Earlier in his career. Bodansky wrote some excellent, but sadly, obscure, papers about this ongoing problem. There has been an established pattern of this since the early 1990s. Before that, the former Soviet Union did the same. This is one unfortunate behavior that did not change at all in 1991.

[PeterFinn]

A nice, big glowing crater where Damascus used to be would be a fine step towards peace in the middle east. Israel would be pefectly justified in destroying those missiles as they are delivered into Syria and before they are a viable threat to Israel.

Of course, Israel could just start selling weapons to Chechnya and see how Putin likes that.

[Bald Eagle777]

A lousy down and out singer in Brooklyn that thinks he's Elvis is my best guess.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Sounds right.

[processing please hold]

Of course, Israel could just start selling weapons to Chechnya and see how Putin likes that.

I like the way you think.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Who is Russ, and how did he get his hands on those missiles? I tell you, this was bound to happen since Congress let the Assault Weapons Ban sunset . . .


(Do I have to say that the previous sentences were sarcasm?)

[Bald Eagle777]

A lot of extremely bad ideas need to see the sunset and after that, never again see the light of day. R.K.B.A.

... If we go into Syria and Iran, we better get ready. I bet they will come over here in droves and try to turn most US cities into little Israels (the usual bombings, etc) as part of their terrorist M.O. Iran has basically put that wild card on the table.

RE: our friend Russ M., if our benighted Congress asks R., pretty please, to stop arming proxies (remember the N.V.G. issue pre-and during O.I.F./Iraq-II...?), I bet they will say "aaw shucks" we were just kidding, and start playing nice. Then again, maybe not.

Maybe we should "start" heavily arming anti-Russian proxies? Waitaminute, maybe NATO expansion plus our relatively new forward operating bases, F-16s for Poland, etc. etc. etc. are tantamount to just that... hehehehehe

[striker2020]

Only a toothless idiot would advocate making glowing red craters in Damascus, for some Zionist cause. Please someone tell me why on earth are we are giving Israel 10Bil a year? Shucks, I am Irish, why can’t we be giving Ireland 10Bil to occupy, and oppress Scotland for example. Supporting Israel make just about as much sense. What is in it for America, I say we make the 10Bil a tax rebate.