Middle East Newsline reports that on his recent trip to Moscow, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad received briefings on the technical specifications and potential applications of one of Russia’s most effective air- and missile defense systems: the S-300PMU2. The reason for Assad’s interest in the advanced weaponry appears to be the need for expanded deterrence against Israel. "Syria wants a strategic air defense system that would present a major threat to Israeli warplanes," a source has told the news agency. "I think Assad will buy and deploy the S-300 over the next few months."