Free Republic

New satellite photos published by ImageSat International (ISI) revealed that the Russian military has been deploying ballistic missile systems in Syria, according to the photographs, which are surface-to-surface missile systems capable of reaching 500 kilometers (310 miles). The Russian army has been training the deployment of an Iskander missile system at the Russian Air Force base in Syria, the Russian news agency IRNA reported. The Iskander missiles, or the SS-26, are ground-to-ground missiles designed for a range of 500 kilometers. These missiles are very effective because of their accuracy and because of their heavy warhead weighing about half a ton....

Transdnestr leader Igor Smirnov said in Moscow on Monday that the breakaway republic in Moldova was not opposed to Russia deploying its Iskander tactical missiles in the republic. "We said long ago that we are ready [for this]; we have asked Russia to keep its military presence indefinitely. We would not protest the deployment of Russian forces with any weapons for the protection of the Transdnestr, Russian and Ukrainian people," Smirnov said when answering journalists' questions about Transdnestr's readiness to host Russian ballistic missile defense systems. What could be the objective of a Russian base in the republic, should it...

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......