Russia takes Syria under its protection (countering PNAC?)

[JackNewtown]

This is from a link on a page linked to on another thread but I thought this deserved its own threads, given the implications of this.

Key excerpts:

--Russia has had a naval materiel and technical supplies center in Tartus since the 1970s. Vladimir Zimin, advisor on the staff of the Russian Embassy in Syria, says that the port is being made deeper at present. Similar work is under way in the port of Latakia. All this may be regarded as evidence of Russia's determination to make Syria a bridgehead for boosting its influence with Middle East. The materiel and technical supplies center may eventually gain the status of a base of the Black Sea Fleet.

Defense Ministry sources, speaking anonymously, hint that Moscow has some far-reaching plans indeed. A group of ships under the missile cruiser Moskva (Black Sea Fleet flagship) is to be formed within the next three years. The group will be stationed in the Mediterranean Sea on the permanent basis. Among other tasks, it will participate in counter-terrorism operation Active Endeavor with NATO forces. Hence the necessity to make the Tartus and Latakia facilities ready for the Russian surface warships - ships of the Black Sea Fleet and eventually the Northern Fleet as well. (The latter will be used to reinforce the Russian Mediterranean naval group whenever necessary.)--

--Defense Ministry sources point out that a naval base in Tartus will enable Russia to solidify its positions in the Middle East and ensure security of Syria. Moscow intends to deploy an air defense system around the base - to provide air cover for the base itself and a substantial part of Syrian territory. (S-300PMU-2 Favorit systems will not be turned over to the Syrians. They will be manned and serviced by Russian personnel.)

According to our sources, Russia and Damascus reached an agreement on modernizing Syria's air defenses. Its medium-range S-125 air defense systems will be upgraded to the Pechora-2A level. The upgrade will certainly improve Syrian air defense, which uses hardware supplied to Syria back in the 1980s. Moscow is prepared to offer Syria more sophisticated medium-range Buk-M1s as well. Close-range Strelets systems sold to Damascus last year are all the Syrian air defense system has to show by way of sophisticated gear at this point (these systems use Igla SAMs).--

Russia will also modernize Syria's tanks. It appears Russia is now going to proactively try to disrupt PNAC's plans. Can you imagine a US invasion of a nation with Russian naval ports?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=IVA20060728&articleId=2847

[whistle]

1. WOW!

[fairfaxvadem]

2. See, this is what I don't get...

"Syria and Iran are supplying Hezbollah with weapons." Well, okay. That sucks. But, isn't Russia supplying Iran and Syria with weapons, or the technology? Some of which are being passed on to Hezbollah?? I don't know this is as fact, but I just assumed that the old cold-war relationships never really disappeared there.

And of course, the CNN caption just now says "Two Apache helicoptors overhead in Tyre."

I think those are my tax dollars flying over much of Lebanon.

I just hate all this crap, from all sides. No hands are clean here, including the U.S.

[AlamoDemoc]

3. Global research at times looks up to Jane's

I believe Syria is very well positioned, regardless of Russia's help.

[BrotherBuzz]

8. Syria owns tons of Russian military equipment

Syria depends on Russia for the supply, maintenance and spare parts to keep it all going.

[JackNewtown]

13. Yes, but they have a small military budget

They are weak military IMO, at least compared to its neighbors Israel and Turkey.

[BrotherBuzz]

15. Well, like Rumsfeld said....

"As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want. You can have all the armor in the world on a tank, and it can still be blown up."

[JackNewtown]

12. I am not too familiar with Jane's

Can you explain that allusion? All I know about Jane's is that it is about military affairs. I am also curious why you feel Syria is in a strong position? I have found you to be one of the top posters here. :toast:

[AlamoDemoc]

23. The DoD funds global research and many others like Jane , are

military order to place notice to many unsuspecting folks. Weapon makers, or better known as "military industrial complex" fund groups like Jane, to put out information that benefit them and supply information that is seen primary source of news. Best way to find news unfiltered is to do a little research, and many retired and former DoD policy makers are now blogging.


Here's start:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/index.html

[JackNewtown]

25. Isn't global research Canadian and against the neocon agenda? nt

[marmar]

4. BushCo has started a Mideast war and a new Cold War simultaneously...

Mission accomplished.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

6. Dick and Rummy are cold war technicians and they like their

war games. Does anyone feel like they took us back to their youth, it's like the Cold War II?

[jwirr]

10. You may be right and if Russia can buddy up to EU, who get

most of their oil supplies from the ME and Russia, then we are odd man out. Bush has played right into their hands. He has made us the "enemy" in today's world and pushed these alliances closer together while doing it. Central and South America are even reaching out to the above groups.

[JackNewtown]

14. That is where the UK and "New Europe" come in

One of the important services the UK provides to assist US foreign policy is serving as the US's de facto agent in the EU. Since it is the second largest economy in the EU and most likely the most militarily powerful, as well as one of only two EU members with a UN Security Council veto, it is a huge player in the EU. The role of "New Europe" is to play a supporting role to the UK's efforts in the EU. Just look at the recent vote in the EU on the ME crisis. The UK led the fight against a proposal to call for an immediate cease-fire, and was backed up by Germany, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Germany has a new right-wing government that is sucking up to Bush and that explains its position and if memory serves me right Denmark also has a right-wing government. Anyway, the fact that the UK, Poland, and Czech Republic accounted for three of the pro-Bush voices in the EU is not surprising by any means. Germany and Denmark will change based on their internal political situation but the UK, Poland, and Czech Republic should be reliable in the long-term.

[bronxiteforever]

5. where the hell are the leaders in this country?

Things are falling apart quickly-Bush and his minions are DESTROYING the United States. When will this end??

[Imagevision]

7. Well, the US. did back the taliban when they fought Russia for 10 years

The Russians lost 50,000+ troops, it was Russia's Viet Nam, courtesy of the
US. of A

[MikeNearMcChord]

9. Summer of '14 again?

Austria-Hungary invades Serbia for the assassination of the Archduke. Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary, Germany declares war on Russia, Great Britian and France goes to war against Germany.
Now Israel goes after Syria doesn Russia increase the stakes thus forcing America to play the game with greater risk? And what about Iran, lot of Russian and Chinese money invested there.

[Selatius]

17. Russia's move my actually bring stability to the region

The more thoughtful geopolitical players in the US government will learn to think twice before being foolish enough to take on an adversary that, while weaker, is still capable of inflicting some damage.

It is only when somebody chooses not to be thoughtful that the system of alliances and associations become a major liability.

[steely]

11. And the plot thickens

Too bad we don't have any highly skilled, trained, and paid political-science types in the gubmment to figure this all out.

[JackNewtown]

16. Yes, this seems to be the first major move by a power to counter PNAC

This will have one of two effects: 1) Cancel PNAC's plans for war with Syria 2) Up the ante bigtime if PNAC were insane enough to attack a Russian client state with Russian military bases

[Disturbed]

18. Iran has a War Pact with Syria.

Russia has supplied Iran with weapons, as well. China has signed a $Billions Gas & Oil deal with Iran. Hopefully, the Warmongering Busholini Regime will be blocked from War with Syria and Iran.

[Selatius]

19. At least we know where Russia and China stand if war breaks out

If war breaks out, the US will stand to lose more than it gains.

[LuckyChoice]

20. you know this and

I know this but does the government know it, or care?

Most of the decisions being made have little or nothing to do with whether they're good for the US general public. Common sense has nothing to do with it. The decision-makers care more about lining the pockets of a small elite. It's no different from some of the most corrupt so-called third-world nations, we just use different terminology and instruments.

[allemand]

21. Russian Defense Ministry dismisses Syrian naval base report (June 2006)

Russian Defense Ministry dismisses Syrian naval base report
18:03 | 02/06/2006

MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Defense Ministry categorically denied Friday a media report that Russia had started construction of a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.

"This is an absolutely false report that has no foundation whatsoever," spokesperson Vyacheslav Sedov said.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060602/48976466.html

Russian Military Denies Seeking Mediterranean Naval Base in Syria
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, MOSCOW

Russian military officials June 2 denied a report that Moscow hopes to create a permanent naval base in Syria that would give it a Mediterranean outpost and represent a major shift in the regional security balance.
(...)

”This can’t be considered information — this is complete nonsense,” said an unnamed admiral quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency.

”The Russian government hasn’t had and doesn’t have any plans to move the Black Sea fleet from Ukraine. Our fleet is staying in Crimea at least until 2017,” he said.

The agency quoted a “senior defense ministry” official as also denying the report: “One would have to be crazy to leave Ukraine before 2017. So why then sign an agreement?”

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1844520&C=navwar

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Party Pooper

eom

[JackNewtown]

27. The neocons here will be relieved (assuming the DM is being honest...)

Their hopes for war with Syria live!

[JackNewtown]

26. Interesting

How credible can those denials be? Wouldn't it be best for Russia to keep silent on this until the last minute?

The strategic value in having a naval base in Syria is immense for Russia, and such a base would help Syria against the US and Israel, which is why the initial report seems plausible. Not onyl waht such a base allow Russia to effectively prevent PNAC from invading Syria, it would allow Russia to greatly increase its influence in that vital region.

[Vidar]

24. Good for Russia.