Posted on 03/19/2012 1:01:59 PM PDT by Wilderness Conservative
Earlier today, Al Arabiya made waves in the energy market following reports that a Russian ship carrying special forces had arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus, previously demonstrated here to be a key strategic asset in the Mediterranean. This news was promptly denied by RIA, which said that "there were no Russian military ships off Syria coast" and that the Iman ship is a tanker which is merely conducting resource support functions. Furthermore, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the crew of Iman consists solely of "civilian personnel, which is being guarded." That may or may not be the case, but has not stopped ABC from blasting, minutes ago, a headline that "Russian anti-terror troops arrive in Syria" a development that a "United Nations Security Council source told ABC News was "a bomb" certain to have serious repercussions." Which begs the question: is everyone now dead set on having war in Syria, and by proxy, Iran?
From ABC:
Russia, one of President Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies despite international condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on the country's uprising, has repeatedly blocked the United Nations Security Council's attempts to halt the violence, accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to start another war.
Now the Russian Black Sea fleet's Iman tanker has arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea with an anti-terror squad from the Russian Marines aboard according to the Interfax news agency. The Assad government has insisted it is fighting a terrorist insurgency.
The Iman replaced another Russian ship "which had been sent to Syria for demonstrating (sic) the Russian presence in the turbulent region and possible evacuation of Russian citizens," the Black Sea Fleet told Interfax.
Here is where ABC's report gets a little screwy:
RIA Novosti, a news outlet with strong ties to the Kremlin, trumpeted the news in a banner headline that appeared only on its Arabic language website. The Russian embassy to the U.S. and to the U.N. had no comment, saying they have "no particular information on" the arrival of a Russian anti-terrorism squad to Syria.
Actually no, here is what RIA did say about the development, google translated: (original can be found here)
Defense Ministry denied the information circulated a number of media that the coast of Syria are ostensibly Russian warships.
"No Russian warships, performing tasks from the shores of Syria, no. In the Syrian port of Tartus 10 days of the ship auxiliary fleet tanker" Iman "which performs the tasks logistics - the replenishment of fuel and food - of the Black Sea and Northern Fleets, which provides security shipping in the Gulf of Aden anti-piracy ", - told RIA Novosti representative of management information and the Defense Ministry.
Previously, some Russian and foreign media reported that the Black Sea Fleet tanker "Iman" on board which is a group of Marines, ostensibly to perform combat missions off the coast of Syria.
Which is rather odd - one would imagine that when reporting on such potential warmongering scenarios fact-checking would be rather important. It appears not.
Either way, ABC continues:
Last week Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had no plans to send troops to Syria.
"As for the question whether I consider it necessary to confront the United States in Syria and ensure our military presence there… in order to take part in military actions -- no. I believe this would be against Russia's national interests," Lavrov told lawmakers, according to RIA Novosti.
So... Buy crude or yes? Because it has been a whopping 48 hours since we heard anything from Israel ever since its security council proceeded to give the go ahead in a 8-6 vote to attack Iran.
Sheesh. Who do you believe in this?
The RIA, or ABC, a news outlet with strong ties to the White House?
Good news. Keeps Obama from launching a Syrian war for political reasons. Iran is still open, though.
Is Putin for or against Assad?
Israel ever since its security council proceeded to give the go ahead in a 8-6 vote to attack Iran.
Gee, you’d of thought THAT would have made the news
somewhere.
Russian military sales to the Syrian government and a long term lease of a Mediterranean base for Russian ships.
Is Putin for or against Assad?
Putin is for screwing with the west, he could care less about Assad. He is a pawn to make people squirm and respect the mighty bear.He will extract something from the west and then throw Assad under bus.
For Assad. Russia & China are always pro tyrant.
I candidly would not mind a bit if the Russians took over Syria. It’d be an improvement.
NATO is not going to get involved now that Russia has entered the Syrian conflict.
NATO does not like to fight a real enemy especially when he lives right next door. Remember how it pussyfooted with Qaddafi? And Putin ain’t no Qaddafi.
This is about getting the USA to go up against Russia and China....Syria/Iran are just the bait.
I’m with ya Laz. If it takes China, Russia, or whoever to put the brakes on Fearless Reader’s foreign policy/Pro Islam stupidity, so be it.
I’d rather Asad stays than another Muslim Brotherhood takeover occur. Far safer for Christians there as well. Scary thought that, but true regardless.
Oh yea! Putin desires Russia to be at the helm and he has the backing to reach as far and wide as it takes to get him where he wants to go.
I like Putin's style when it comes to doing what he wants regardless if the Internationally community likes it or not. We had that once in our leadership.....I miss having a strong leader in our country....instead we get this traitor who is taking down our country so he can rise to International Notoriety.
Russia has spent $$ improving the Port of Tartus. Dredging. Roads to/from. Housing areas. Ok, barracks. It will serve their needs in the Med. Sea. Power projection and all that.
Putin is for whoever wins and buys Russian hardware.
That is exactly why Israel would like to deal with Assad. That's also why JPost today published an article titled "Russia fuels Syrian arms increase of 580%" which, by carefully selective quoting from a larger report, only slams arms sales to states other than Syria. Israel does not need a new Chechnya across the border; Lebanon and PA are more than enough, thank you very much.
Russia has good working relations with Israel, so I'm sure that everything that happens in Syria is happening with Israel's awareness, if not approval. The unavoidable fact is that Assad's troops that are fighting the AQ-fueled insurrection act as a proxy army for Israel. If Assad disappears in a puff of smoke then it will be up to Israel to do this job - and to take large losses.
And with regard to Assad being a dictator... they are probably better off under Assad. The alternative is worse - a Muslim mob that takes over and establishes another Islamic theocracy, as if we don't have enough of them on this planet already. The chances of democracy there are about zero. For democracy to succeed, all players on the political arena must voluntarily renounce violence - even when they know that this costs them the power.
You are right, except for one thing. You say “he could care less”-—It’s “he couldn’t care less” meaning he don’t give a rats a$$!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYTfbD4Jezw&has_verified=1
Russian national sport - hunting for bearded apes (jihadis).
No gun is too big to bring into a fight.
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