New Images Show Russian Nuclear Capable Missiles in Syria

Townhall ^ | 6 Jan 17 | Justin Holcomb

[elhombrelibre]

Russia has placed advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missiles in Syria, according to the Times of Israel.

High-resolution imagery released by ImageSat International on Thursday confirms what intelligence analysts have known since March of last year, that Moscow has indeed placed nuclear-capable ballistic missiles in Syria

“This revelation approves [sic] several unconfirmed reports of the Iskander presence in Syria and uncovers the system’s deployment site,” ImageSat said. “Most probably, heavy rain and floods forced the re-deployment of those two elements to the location in which they were revealed by iSi analysts,” the firm noted.

[ETL]

Senator Jeff Sessions on Putin...

March 26, 2015

Interview with Jeff Sessions: U.S. and Europe "Have to Unify" Against Russia

excerpt...

What do you expect next from Russia?

Sessions: Well, there's a danger that they may continue this overreach. They just solidified power in Georgia, in South Ossetia. That was I think in the last week. Pressure is still on Ukraine. We don't know whether the Minsk Agreement will hold, I don't think it's holding very well now.

We have the Estonians, the Lithuanians, the Romanians, they're very worried. This is reality, I wish it weren't, but I'm afraid it is. It needs to be clear that Russia knows that there will be a high price to pay if this behavior continues.

If Minsk breaks down, at what point does the president have to act and supply Ukraine with lethal weaponry? What is the breaking point? We know from what Victoria Nuland said that the administration hasn't decided yet.

Sessions: From what I understand from this conference, I think it's clear that Germany has said publicly that they will support harsher sanctions and more military support if the Minsk Agreement fails. And that will be key.

Merkel has worked very very hard to establish a relationship with Putin and Russia. It's been a good-faith effort. If it fails, I would hope that Europe and the United States would have to unify and push back more firmly against Russian overreach. ..."

http://www.realclearworld.com/blog/2015/03/interview_with_jeff_sessions_us_and_europe_have_to_unify_against_russia_111076.html

or,

https://web.archive.org/web/20150709024356/http://www.realclearworld.com/blog/2015/03/interview_with_jeff_sessions_us_and_europe_have_to_unify_against_russia_111076.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

"In a Montgomery speech in March 2014...he [Sen Jeff Sessions] called for international scorn toward Russia for its aggressive actions in Ukraine and, before then, Georgia.

"I believe a systematic effort should be undertaken so that Russia feels pain for this," Sessions said then. "Because if you don't act now to make some sanctions against Russia then why will they believe in the future that we're going to impose sanctions or do anything aggressive if they move forward to take all of Ukraine, all of Georgia?""

Sessions, not that long ago, was calling for more sanctions against an expansionist Russia that was rattling U.S. allies in Europe. And he regularly blamed the Obama administration for what he argued was an overly optimistic and weak foreign policy, including a decision to scale back planned missile defense sites in the Czech Republic and Poland.

“There’s no good solution now. The bottle of milk has shattered on the floor and you can’t put it back together,” the Alabama senator said about relations with Russia in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea.

Sessions has also pointed to Russia’s record as justification for a robust missile defense system, which has deep roots in north Alabama.

“Russia’s recent actions in Georgia remind us that country, which we once hoped was on a path to greater integration into the global world community, might again be seeking to restore old Soviet ideas of dominance throughout their neighbors and in Eastern Europe, all of which should serve as a motivation to move ahead with the necessary capabilities to defend ourselves and our allies from missile attack, in particular,” Sessions said on the Senate floor in 2008.

Two years later, Sessions voted against the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, in part because he thought Obama conceded too much ground to the Russians.

“Just signing an agreement on a piece of paper does not create security,” Sessions said. “A consistent, principled, just approach to our legitimate national defense, advocated clearly and forthrightly without misunderstanding, is the best way to have security in this dangerous world.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/08/15/sen-jeff-sessions-backs-donald-trump-russia-policy/88796584/

or,

https://web.archive.org/web/20161115103421/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/08/15/sen-jeff-sessions-backs-donald-trump-russia-policy/88796584/

[ETL]

2014

Sen. Dan Coats banned from entering Russia as retaliation for sanctions

Maureen Groppe and Aamer Madhani, Star Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Sen. Dan Coats’ efforts to punish Russia because of Moscow’s move to annex the Crimea region of Ukraine has gotten him banned from the country.

“While I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to go on vacation with my family in Siberia this summer, I am honored to be on this list,” the Indiana Republican said after Russia’s announcement Thursday. ...”

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/20/sen-coats-banned-entering-russia-retaliation-sanctions/6661473/
__________________________________

"President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats to serve as National Intelligence Director"

"Dan Coats of Indiana has served on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees."

[ETL]

Donald Trump: 'Putin has eaten Obama's lunch, therefore our lunch, for a long period of time'

Mar 13, 2014
Eun Kyung Kim: TODAY SHOW (NBC)

Donald Trump slammed President Obama Thursday on TODAY for failing to take a stronger line against President Vladimir Putin in dealing with Ukraine, saying he feared Obama would now make up for lost time with imprudent moves to "show his manhood."

The real estate mogul and reality-TV star, who has criticized Putin for sending military troops into Crimea, said Obama must now take fierce steps to prevent the situation from escalating further.

"We should definitely do sanctions and we have to show some strengths. I mean, Putin has eaten Obama's lunch, therefore our lunch, for a long period of time," Trump said. ..."

http://www.today.com/news/donald-trump-putin-has-eaten-obamas-lunch-ukraine-2D79372098
_______________________________________________

Here’s the must-see interview w/ Matt Lauer on YouTube...

Donald Trump (2014): ‘Vladimir Putin Has Eaten Obama’s Lunch’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzURUENf1ns

[ETL]

Russia Deploying Tactical Nuclear Arms in Crimea

Obama backing indirect talks with Moscow aimed at cutting U.S. non-strategic nukes in Europe

BY: Bill Gertz
October 10, 2014

Russia is moving tactical nuclear weapons systems into recently-annexed Crimea while the Obama administration is backing informal talks aimed at cutting U.S. tactical nuclear deployments in Europe. ..."

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/russia-deploying-tactical-nuclear-arms-in-crimea/
________________________________________________________

Ignore the red and orange lines. They were already on the map when I downloaded it.

[ETL]

Aug 2015

___________________________________________________

From Real Clear Politics, Sept 10, 2015...

"In a 2014 New Yorker interview, Obama said his goal was to create a 'new equilibrium' in the Middle East.

In the short run, at least, his signature diplomatic undertaking can be counted on to bring more violence to this volatile region.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the [Obama-Putin Iran deal] agreement is formally known, provides the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism an infusion of somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 billion of unfrozen assets and a great deal more of continuing revenues as businesses and governments around the world rush to profit from oil-and-gas-rich Iran's reintegration into the world economy.

The agreement relaxes the international isolation of the Islamic Republic and ratifies Tehran's status as a nuclear threshold state. And it relieves restrictions on Iran's acquisition of weapons, including ballistic missiles. ..."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/09/10/iran_deal_throws_sparks_on_mideast_tinderbox_128034.html

[elhombrelibre]

Thanks. A clear review of the evidence is that Putin has taken advantage of Obama and his policy of cooperating with and appeasing Putin’s concerns. A more fair and realistic approach is needed. Allies and NATO need to beef up their forces to deter Putin’s Grand Strategy. We can prevail without war if we follow the path used by Ronald Reagan. Pump US oil. Work towards energy independence. Support freedom as mutually beneficial.

[SaraJohnson]

You are right. I’m sorry.

[Rashputin]

Once again you imply something I did not say. That's either a bad habit you should break or it's a demonstration of the fact you're deliberately trying to avoid real discussion and simply imply that anyone who disagrees with you and your viewpoint is somehow in league with whoever you think is the bad guy, enemy, or whatever.

Israel is at the moment negotiating the price for F35 and/or F15 aircraft they'll be buying so it's inevitable that they would find some extra frightening development in the ME. Syria is an obvious place for them to discover such super frightening developments given the fact that developments there aid their pals McCain & Graham.

Look for more super frightening developments announced by Israel in the near future during the negotiations. Don't be surprised if they quietly make some interesting deals with Russia at the same time, though, because unlike so many people on FR they're realists.

have a nice day

[elhombrelibre]

Good day, Putin.

[DoughtyOne]

The title of the headline at the top of this thread:  New Images Show Russian Nuclear Capable Missiles in Syria

Original source:  the Times of Israel

Sourced by:  Townhall.com

Second paragraph: High-resolution imagery released by ImageSat International on Thursday confirms what intelligence analysts have known since March of last year, that Moscow has indeed placed nuclear-capable ballistic missiles in Syria. 

The source of this story is in Israel. You can see that if you read the report.

I read the report.  I have also read countless articles from the Washington Post and the New York Times.  They are located in the United States.  I'm sure you regard every word you read from them to be the absolute truth, completely accurate, and delivered with no bias.

It's basically their government that released what their Intelligence service provided.

The Times of Israel does not credit the government with this release.  Lockheed Martin and Boeing work contractually with our government.  Is everything they state publicly a statement from our government?  Ah, NO!  Even if ISI is more integral to the government of Israel, since when does Netanyahu release information like this from a sub-contractor or even subsidiary of Israel's defense department, if that is in fact what ISI is?

The Israelis take their peace and security very seriously.

Gosh you're an astute observer.  Gee thanks Mr.  /s  Listen moron, is it your impression that Bibi Netanyahu is a shrinking violet?  I submit that if you would use your thinking cap, you would realize that if he were concerned over this, we would have heard of it about  a year ago when (as the article states) intelligence services first learned of it.  That not happening, it's my conclusion that although Israel does take it's security seriously, this has not been deemed by them to be a top level problem.  For that reason alone, I approach the information here with an open mind on the subject.  Lets say the missiles are there.  What does that mean?  I'd prefer to determine my position in reaction to the position of the leadership of Israel, not the Times of Israel or TownHall.com.

Why?

Right now we have a Republican Senator trying to drum up support for an 'Act of War' against Russia.  A number of Republicans from Ryan to Graham and others are or least were supporting hearings to drum up animosity towards Russia.  This revelation right now is not helpful.  I don't have all the information I need to make a determination here, and neither do you.  For now I'm deferring to the leadership of Israel and I think others should as well.

And, perhaps, the Israelis are the bad guys since they are being mean by exposing Russian weapons in Syria, and, as you write it, "pounding the drum for war."

Your intelligence just oozes out with each new paragraph.  /s  Not once did I state that Israel was seeking a military strike against Russia.  At least try to be topical with your responses.  There are people doing that though.  They are within our nation, not Israel.  You didn't know that?  I have to explain this to you?  Really?  

This article could feed into that, so I don't want this to escalate further.  I urge caution and for folks not to read more into this than the Israeli leadership has.

Trump is trying to start off on a positive note with Russia.  I want him to have a chance to do that.  We have more to gain from a positive first step than telegraphing a hostile environment, so this is important, and this couldn't have come at a more critical time.

McCain has been helping Israel's biggest enemies in the Middle-East, but I wouldn't put it past him to claim this is more evidence that Russia has evil intent and we must counter it's moves.  Again, has Israel been calling for that?  NO!  So it is my intent here to urge caution and not feed into the McCain psychosis.

As Putin's ally Iran likes to say, America is the great Satan and Israel is the little Satan. 

The relevance of that comment to this conversation is vapor ware.  That and $0.10 cents won't get you a pack of gum.

And once again, you just belt the lunacy out of the park.  Great job.  You misinterpreted my words, and my intent.  Now you're going postal on an assumption that was extremely flawed.   That's on you, not me.

No doubt that idea is catching on in many places and some people are not even conflicted about which side they're on now.I have urged the same reaction to this news that Israel's leadership has exhibited.  Knock yourself out trying to create a false narrative based on that fact.

I am not a big supporter of Putin.  I heave read about what he has done, is doing, and ponder his next moves just like everyone else.  I have not been a supporter of his moves in the Ukraine or Crimea.  I'm not happy he sent forces to Syria, but what choice did our _resident give him, when it came to a long term ally?  I don't seen Putin as 100% or 100% good.  He's a complex individual, and one we can't pre-judge easily.  My best guess is that if the West would use some common sense, this whole animosity between Russia and the West could dissipate in short order.  That doesn't mean we should be lulled into overconfidence.  We should do things covertly to situate ourselves should things go south.

Putin is reportedly moving his forces out of Syria.  I don't know how complete that will be over time.  We'll have to wait and see.

Obama worked this situation up to a very volital one, by aiding terrorists in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean theater.  He created a problem in Eastern Syria by aiding terrorists there, and by putting U.S. advisers (some troops) on the ground there.  Just weeks ago he was pushing for all it was worth for WWIII.  McCain was helping.  So was Graham.  This is the climate I made my comments in.

Cool heads need to prevail.  I don't want this information to heavily influence anyone regarding what moves we need to take against Russia.

If that makes you think I am not a friend of Israel, you're a nut-job.

Israel gains nothing from open hostility between the United States and Russia, particularly when Russia has an elevated presence in Syria, and there seem to be thousands of roving terrorists looking for their next project.  That's pretyy much the situation for a number of Western nations right now too.

[elhombrelibre]

There will not be a WWIII unless Putin causes it. Beyond that, take a breath. Relax. Exposing Putin is not a capital crime.

[DoughtyOne]

You poor thing.

[DoughtyOne]

You’re completely out of your element trying to buster about international dynamics.

Is that you Lindsey?

[elhombrelibre]

What is “buster about international dynamics?”

[DoughtyOne]

Bluster...

Tell me oh sage, if McCain convinces Obama to commit an act of war, is that Putin starting it?

If you think that’s outlandish, consider that he and Soros talked him into arming and funding:

The Muslim Brotherhood
Al Qaeda
ISIS

You’re really clueless.

[elhombrelibre]

No, I’m not. I’m well read in, very well. You can believe whatever you wish.

[DoughtyOne]

I’ve seem what good reading does you.

You read my comments and determined I’m a defender of Putin and an enemy of Israel.

It still doesn’t occur to you that there are ten days left for Obama to commit an act of war at the behest of McCain/Soros.

What waste yor time reading for all the good it does you?

[elhombrelibre]

Again, relax. The war you fear won’t occur. Keep your nerve and wits about you. You’re not even in a forward area.

[DoughtyOne]

We have a U.S. senator demanding Obama commit an act of war against Russia, and you are dumb enough to state there will be no war unless Putin starts it.

Do you think at all before typing?

We have a president that loathes the U.S. and Israel. You do realize that right?

Well..., evidently not.

Again, why do you bother reading?

Do I think war is imminent? No. Do I still recommend prudence in these last days of Obama’s term? Hell yes!

You’re not scoring points by trying to frame me as an alarmist. You’re only making yourself look more out of touch with the reality we are faced with right now.

[elhombrelibre]

What act of war are you talking about, and what Senator?