Russia to take steps if Islamic State moves from Mosul to Syria — Lavrov.

Russia to take steps if Islamic State moves from Mosul to Syria — Lavrov. (Tass).

Moscow will take military measures should militants of the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia as a terrorist organization - TASS) move from Mosul to Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"Mosul is a large city with a civilian population of 1.5 million, if not more," Lavrov said. "We keep an eye on this operation, of course, because all of us are interested in defeating the so-called Islamic State."

"The city is surrounded, but not completely. I do not know why. Possibly, they’ve just failed," Lavrov said. "It is to be hoped they just failed, and not were reluctant to do so."

"Anyway, the remaining corridor is fraught with the risk the Islamic State may move from Iraq’s Mosul to Syria," he said. "Of course, we will keep an eye on the situation and take both political and military decisions, if that happens, if in Syria, where our military group is present at the request of the legitimate government, there will emerge more Islamic State contingents."

According to the Russian top diplomat, it is yet unclear whether the Iraqi army’s Shia units are taking part in this operation and what is the role of the Kurd militias and Turkey.

"As you know, Turkish troops are deployed there and the Iraqi government is protesting against that," Lavrov noted.

"Moreover, there are 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq who are referred to by Washington as ‘advisers.’ Anyway, 5,000 ‘advisers’ are a big force," he said. Read the full story here.

Russia may consider delivering air defense systems to 'Sometimes NATO Ally' Turkey.

Russia may consider delivering air defense systems to 'Sometimes NATO Ally' Turkey. (Tass).

Russia may consider delivering air defense systems to Turkey, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

The presidential spokesman made this statement as he was answering questions about the visit, which Russian President Vladimir Putin had paid to Turkey on Monday.

"Indeed, the issues related to military and technical cooperation were on the agenda of contacts between Putin and [Turkish President Tayyip] Erdogan," Peskov told journalists.

"Various air defense systems were mentioned," he added.

"If the Turkish side expresses its desire, Russia may consider the possibility of their delivery to Turkey in various modifications," the Kremlin spokesman said.

"But this is a purely commercial issue, a very sensitive area of cooperation," Peskov said. Hmmm......NATO Ally my A@#%$

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games - Official.

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games - Official. (Taz).

North Korea says it will attack the United States if Washington does not cancel the multinational military exercises which are slated to begin on Monday, PressTV reported.

The yearly exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, will be carried out by the US, South Korea and other allies to enhance “readiness, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula," read a statement from the Korea-US Combined Forces Command.

“The further Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercises are intensified, the stronger military counteraction the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will take to cope with them,” said a spokesman for North Korea’s National Defense Commission on Saturday.

North Korea will “retaliate against the US with tremendous muscle” if the US does not cancel the war games, he said

The spokesman added that the North Korean army and people “are no longer what they used to be in the past when they had to counter the US nukes with rifles.”

Pyongyang is an “invincible power” and the country’s army possesses the “latest offensive and defensive means unknown to the world,” he stated.

Also, North Korean state television KCNA said Saturday that Washington has to stop the exercises “immediately” if the “United States wants its mainland to be safe.”

Tens of thousands of American and South Korean military forces are scheduled to take part in the joint exercise which will last for 12 days.

In addition, other US allies, including Australia, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France and New Zealand will participate in the drills.

North Korea is under UN sanctions over launching rockets considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic missiles aimed at delivering nuclear warheads, but Pyongyang says its numerous missile tests seek to boost defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats.

Russia Changing details & Price S-300 Contract with Iran, delivery by 2016

Russia Changing details and Price S-300 Contract with Iran, delivery by 2016.(Presstv).

Russia is assembling its S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system to begin its shipment to Iran by 2016, the Kremlin’s top official for the arms trade says.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Vladimir Kozhin, President Vladimir Putin’s aide on military-technical cooperation, added that Moscow is also modernizing some parts of the system and changing contract terms such as the pricing.

“The Iranians want them as soon as possible, and we are trying too. There is activity to prepare new legal contracts, new conditions and thus prepare systems for delivery,” Kozhin said.

He added that some of the military systems that had been intended for sale to Iran were supplied to other clients, and that some parts of other S-300 systems stored across Russia have undergone “serious modernization” with the passage of years. Hmmm.....As i pointed out months ago, the S-300 Iran bought years ago is no longer produced, left only the possibility of delivery of that type from Russian army units who have that type....or change the contract. Read the full story here.

Russian president lifts ban on S-300 delivery to Iran.

Russian president lifts ban on S-300 transit through Russia to Iran. (Taz).

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to lift the ban on the supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran, the Kremlin press service said, RIA Novosti reported.

"The decree removes the ban on transit of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems through the territory of the Russian Federation (as well as by air), their removal from the territory of the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as their transfer to the Islamic Republic of Iran outside the Russian Federation by using ships and aircraft under the state flag of the Russian Federation," the statement said. Hmmm.....If Israel is planning to strike Iran....it's now or never.

Related:

In December 2006 the UN Security Council imposed a partial embargo on the export of technology related to nuclear weapon delivery systems to Iran, which includes certain technologies which can be used in conventional military applications. This was followed in June 2010 by a UN embargo on the export of most major conventional weapons to Iran. Hmmm........Are the UN Sanctions lifted?

'Moderate' Iran, Russia agree to resolve disputes over S-300 missile system

'Moderate' Iran, Russia agree to resolve disputes over S-300 missile system.(Taz).

Iran and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on military cooperation, the Islamic Republic’s Fars news agency reported Jan. 20.

The MoU was signed in Tehran by visiting Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoygu and his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan.

The accord emphasizes fighting terrorism, extremism and separatism as well as boosting mutual cooperation for peace and security in the region.

The MoU also includes holding joint military drills, cooperation in military training as well as fighting against piracy in international waters and the Caspian Sea, according to the official website of the Islamic Republic’s defense ministry.

Shoygu arrived in Tehran on Jan. 20 for talks with senior Iranian officials on ways to promote defense ties between Russia and the Islamic Republic.

The two ministers also agreed to resolve disputes over delivering Russian S-300 missile system to Iran. No further details on the issue has been published yet.

A contract inked in 2007 requires Russia to provide Iran with at least five S-300 missile defense systems.

However, Moscow refrained from meeting its obligations under the pretext that they were covered by the fourth round of the UN Security Council resolutions against Iran.

In September 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree banning the delivery of the S-300 systems to the Islamic Republic.

Russia's refusal to deliver the systems under the contract prompted Iran to file a complaint with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva against the Russian arms company Rosoboronexport.

Earlier Iranian media outlets reported that Tehran has rejected Russia's proposal to supply the Islamic Republic with S-300VM "Antey-2500" anti-ballistic missile system, instead of the promised S-300 system.

Last December Dehghan said that Iran still insists on getting the S-300 missile system from Russia, adding the Russian side has illegally canceled the contract under the pressure from Israel and the US.

In December 2006 the UN Security Council imposed a partial embargo on the export of technology related to nuclear weapon delivery systems to Iran, which includes certain technologies which can be used in conventional military applications. This was followed in June 2010 by a UN embargo on the export of most major conventional weapons to Iran. Hmmm.....I guess their DIY S-300 wasn't really better then the Russian S-300........so much for their boasting.

Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov enters Syrian port of Tartus

Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov enters Syrian port of Tartus. (IT).

The Russian Northern Fleet's large anti-submarine ship Vice Admiral Kulakov has arrived on a business visit to the Syrian port of Tartus, an official spokesman for the fleet, Captain 1st Rank Vadim Serga said on Tuesday.

“The port visit of the Russian ship to Syria will last for around a week,” Serga said.

Are Russian S-300 Batteries on their way to Egypt? Could cover all of Israel.

Are Russian S-300 Batteries on their way to Egypt? Could cover all of Israel. HT: IMRA.

In case the report published on itar-tass website will materialize and the procurement deal goes through, how will Israel deal with the S-300 batteries being placed on Egyptian territory?

Ami Rojkes Dombe 3/9/2014 http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=3D483&ArticleID=3D3102
Will Egypt acquire Russian S-300 batteries?

According to reports online, the batteries that were designated for Syria will probably find themselves on the southern border,itar-tass.com reported.

According to the site, the producing of S-300 batteries will stop within a year and instead new generation S-400 batteries will be manufactured, to be in use by the Russian army and be sold on the international market. 

Meanwhile, Russia is thinking what to do with the batteries that have already been produced for Assad, and one of the alternatives is to sell them to Sisi. It should be recalled that at the end of last year, Saudi Arabia provided Egypt with a grant of two billion dollars for the purchase of Russian weapons.

A report reveals on altahrir website that the air defense commander of Egypt, Abdel Moneimal-Terras, traveled to Moscow to discuss a joint exercise between the armies in the near future as well as the procurement of military equipment. If the deal is implemented, it will be a closure for Egypt, which has been looking to buy S-300 batteries since 1996 (source).

What does this mean for the Israeli Air Force pilots? Well, if the reports are referring to the S-300-PMU-2 version, it means that this battery has a detection range of 300 km and a damage range of about 150 km. In other words, if this battery will be stationed in the Suez Canal (it is likely that Israel will not allow placing batteries in Sinai), its radar will cover half of the territory of Israel the southern half.

Whether it will be placed in the area of Port Said, it will cover almost the entire State of Israel. It means that any aircraft or missile leaving towards Egypt (if and when) could be identified within Israeli territory (Assuming that Israel of course that Israel do not have the capabilities to disrupt the radar of the S-300 an argument frequently heard in the foreign media [source]).Hmmm....It might also come in handy if the 'Neo Ottomams leading Turkey start thinking of exanding their 'lebensraum'.

Production of S-300 missiles in Russia to be stopped within year. source
Russia August 22, 9:13 UTC+4
The source in the Russian military-industrial complex said the production of components for S-300 will continue
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/746166
MOSCOW, August 22. /ITAR-TASS/. Production of Russia's S-300 missile systems will be fully stopped next year, a high-ranking source in the Russian military-industrial complex told ITAR-TASS.
This also concerns export versions, he added.He want to stress that the production of components for S-300 will continue and will even grow in the coming years he said.
The source said S-300 missiles would be replaced with a number of new generation systems. S-400 becomes the main system for our Armed Forces. S-300 missiles remain in operation, and their production will not be halted in a moment, he said.
Russia's latest air defense system S-400 licensed for export
The source said the marketing policy of Russian producers of air defense systems is now aimed at advancing S-400 to foreign markets.
We have had a more efficient system for several years, I mean S-400. What is the point in producing things that don't meet today's demands of a customer? he asked, saying S-400 supplies abroad would begin no earlier than in 2016.
Redirecting deliveries
S-300 Favorite missile systems destined for Syria may be delivered to Egypt, a Russian high-ranking defense industry source told ITAR-TASS on Friday.
Egyptian partners have expressed interest in S-300 purchases. The system may be re-equipped for Egypt in a short period of time, the source added.
S-300 system Russia made for Syria may be offered to other customer. If an agreement is reached, software and some units and systems of "Syrian" S-300s will be changed, he said.
Cairo bought about $400 million worth of ammunition from Moscow over the past ten years. A considerable volume of the military enginery bought from the Soviet Union is still in service in Egypt, the source said.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may provide substantial financial aid for Egypt, he added.

Russia will have no time to provide aid to Assad.

Love the Canadian jogging pants

Russia will have no time to provide aid to Assad.(RBTH).

Experts say Saudi Arabia and Turkey are drawing the West into a war, and Russian arms will not help.

The U.S. and its allies are likely to start bombing targets in Syria in the near future. Russian experts believe the real goal is not to destroy the country’s chemical potential but to reduce the combat capability of the government army and secure the victory for the armed opposition.
They also point out that Moscow will have little time to help Damascus with weapons and should focus on diplomatic support, instead.
"This military action will resemble the El Dorado Canyon operation against Muammar Gaddafi in 1986 — not a very long one, not a very costly one," Sergei Demidenko, an expert at the Institute of Strategic Studies and Analysis in Moscow, says in prediction. He is confident that the West will not drag out the air campaign, and it will not start an expensive ground invasion in Syria, either.
According to Demidenko, the United States does not want to intervene in the Syrian conflict — this is not their war. The U.S. is being drawn into the conflict by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. For these countries, the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has become a matter of principle, though they are unable to achieve it on their own.
The question arises: What will happen to targets in Syria that produce and store chemical weapons, if the claimed purpose of the military operation in Syria is the prevention of any further use of these weapons?
"What is at issue here is not the bombing of locations for the storage or production of chemical weapons. If an airstrike is applied on some storage of chemical weapons, you can obtain a result that would be a lot worse than what it was during the recent attack near Damascus," says Andrei Baklitsky, an expert at the PIR Center. He contends that airstrikes would be applied on sites belonging to the armed forces — command posts and communication lines.
Sergei Markov, a political analyst, also believes that Western armies will fight in Syria, in part as mercenaries of Arab monarchies.
"We have a generally accepted view that the U.S. is acting in Syria through the hands of the U.K. and France; but it seems to me that everything is exactly the opposite. It is rather Paris and London who are the leaders, and Washington is following them — and with some resistance,” the analyst says.
“The situation is similar to Libya's. However, in Libya, France at least had a mercantile interest (to gain control over the oil fields), whereas, in the Syrian situation, I think it is the banal bribing of the British and French governments by the Saudis and Qataris. And the money is being given at the government level in the form of contracts, as well as at the personal level,” says Markov.
In this case, the West in Syria, in the pursuit of tactical advantages, is committing huge strategic mistakes, according to Markov. "Unfortunately, we are forced to live in a world where chaos grows strong, and so does the use of military force," the analyst says. "Our partners in Washington, London and Paris are committing gross blunders and acting against their own interests."
 "What did the U.S. win from the war in Iraq? Nothing. What did they win from the overthrow of Mubarak? Loss, nothing else. How did they benefit from the overthrow of Gaddafi? Is it the fact that they tore their ambassador to pieces?" says Markov.
In these circumstances, the question arises: What can Moscow do in the days and weeks remaining before the intervention? Experts believe that the only option available on the diplomatic and public relations front is to continue the previous policy of appealing not so much to governments as to Western public opinion.
"Russia needs to focus on the mission of the U.N. inspectors. It is the results of their work that will either give grounds for a military strike against Syria or an opportunity to raise a voice in protest," says Markov.
"Secondly, we must conduct an intensive campaign among the world public opinion, because a bloated majority of people of the West are misinformed: They are being told over and over again that Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons. We should write and say that this was an obvious provocation, and that it was the opposition who committed the chemical attack," the expert says.
Some Russian politicians believe that Moscow should limit itself to diplomatic efforts. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, for example, has called for urgent and massive arms supplies to Syria.
Indeed, an extra supply of anti-ship missiles and air defense systems could theoretically delay or even thwart the attack on Syria. Russia could strengthen Yakhont anti-ship missile systems already delivered to Syria, which have a destruction range of about 250 miles and can hinder actions of the navy of the allies.
As for additional air defense systems, experts believe that the Syrians simply do not have time to deploy them before the attack, whereas the use of Russian military personnel to this end would mean entering the conflict on the side of Damascus. Moreover, any urgent supplies of arms would lead to a further deterioration of relations with the West.
However, as long as the bombing has not begun, there is hope that common sense will prevail. U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron have yet to obtain consent from their legislatures. At the forthcoming summit in St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin is likely to make a final attempt to explain to the "friends of Syria" how dangerous their plans are.

Former Russian Gen Staff Officer: "NATO air forces unable to do Syria real harm, little harm was caused to the the country’s air defense systems."

Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta: "Russian military experts are in Syria,They prepare the four divisions of S-300 for combat."

Former Russian Gen Staff Officer: "NATO air forces unable to do Syria real harm, little harm was caused to the the country’s air defense systems."(RT).

During the Syrian civil war there has been little harm caused to the the country’s air defense systems, which continue to function quite effectively, said Sivkov, who is first vice president of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems and a former officer of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Syria is not Libya.

Even in Libya, where much weaker air defenses largely remained inactive, NATO air forces had to waste additional resources to be sure not to come under fire from ground forces, and this prevented the invaders from gaining total control of the Libyan skies, Sivkov said.
The Syrian situation is different altogether, he added.
“The current NATO forces, mostly American, present in the region cannot do serious harm to the Syrian state and army,” Sivkov said.
Media reports say that the US Navy has two air carriers with about 120 jets that could be directly involved in the assault on Syria. Altogether, NATO has about 280 cruise missiles on warships and submarines near Syria.
According to Sivkov’s calculations, even without active countermeasures on the behalf of the Syrian armed forces, this would be enough for the US-led forces to destroy only about 30 or 35 targets inside the country. In case these targets were shielded by short-range anti-aircraft systems such as the Pantsir-S1, the likelihood of targets being destroyed would be three or four times less.
“That means that at the moment NATO cannot do decisive damage, changing the balance of power in Syria,” Sivkov said.

“According to my estimates, if NATO wants to destroy Syria’s military infrastructure and make sure that the Islamists get the upper hand in the conflict, the alliance needs to concentrate in the region about three times more air forces and about four times more cruise missiles. That would be enough to suppress Syria’s air defenses and destroy its military potential,” Sivkov said, adding that bringing additional forces to the region would take Western forces about a month.

‘Syrian air defense crews’ skills are decisive’

Air Power Australia reported that Syria has about 900 anti-aircraft batteries, over 4,000 MANPADs and around 4,000 air defense guns. 
Though most Syrian air defense systems are outdated, a large number of Soviet-made missile batteries have been upgraded over the last decade and now have advanced capabilities.
Moreover, Damascus has recently bought dozens of Russian medium- and short-range air defense systems, such as the Buk-M2E (NATO designation SA-17 Grizzly) and the Pantsir-S1 (NATO designation SA-22 Greyhound).
According to various reports, Syria also possesses an unknown number of Russian S-300 long-range air defense missile systems.
“Some say S-300s were supplied to Syria from Belarus years ago, while others insist the delivery happened some time ago from Russia within the framework of technical-military cooperation,” Sivkov told RT. “If Syrian personnel have properly learned how to operate the Russian systems supplied to the country, than Syrian air defenses can give battle to an assault by the US Air Force.”

‘Assad real target of NATO airstrikes’

It is not that the Americans do not care about possible losses among the civilian population in Syria in case of an invasion, but a new war would mean deaths of American soldiers and spiraling costs that would lead to social programs inside the US being slashed, Sivkov said.
Most Americans, over 60 percent, are against a military operation in Syria, he said, adding that’s why such US hawks as Zbigniew Brzezinski and John McCain have spoken out against a ground operation in Syria.
NATO’s strike on Syria would be disguised as a “warning” while the real targets of the assault would most probably be President Bashar Assad and other senior figures in his regime, Sivkov said. He added that if the Americans did put troops in on the ground in the country, it would lead to a situation like that in Afghanistan.
While the Americans could invade Syria with the help of Turkey and Israel, and the Syrian army would be defeated in a month or two, this would lead to a guerilla war that would have drastic repercussions for the US and its allies, Sivkov said. Islamist groups currently fighting against Assad would then turn on the US, he added.

“As an example of America’s past allies killing their former friends, you can recall Benghazi, where the US ambassador was pulled out of the embassy building and slaughtered,” Sivkov said. “At present, Syria is Iran’s outpost. Syria has already become a battlefield for the international forces fighting on both sides. There are Kurdish militia, Hezbollah and Iran’s volunteers fighting for the country’s president, apart from the Syrian army.”

But there are practically no Syrians any more among the opposition forces, Sivkov said, as they are principally made up of foreign militants and terrorists who openly ally themselves with such organizations as Al-Qaeda.

‘Total war’ in the Middle East

If there is an attack on Syria and the US enters this war on the same side as Al-Qaeda against Assad, this would inflame the whole Middle East, while volunteers from Iran and Iraq, Europe and probably Orthodox Christians from Russia would join the war in considerable numbers, Sivkov said.
The Arab states would step in, too, and most likely Shia Muslims would fight for Assad against the Saudi Arabia-led Sunnis, mostly from Libya and Egypt, Sivkov said. “Many other states would join the conflict, and among them Israel, which is certain to take the side of the [anti-Assad] coalition. If Israel enters the war against Syria, i. e. allied with Sunni Islamist militants and initiates strikes on Syria – Iran is likely to respond with long-range missiles it has. Many forces in the Arab world would recoil from insurgents in that case, there will be forces that opt to attack Israel, that’s how the war would engulf the entire region,” Sivkov said.
If there are NATO missile strikes on chemical munitions depots, poisonous substances there would be sprayed onto the ground as a result of explosions, Sivkov said. This would have drastic consequences, such as contaminating land, and it would be a major blow to all forms of life on territory extending far from the strikes, he said.

“If there are airstrikes on chemical weapons depots – this would be a severe blow to the Syrian people,” Sivkov said.

Related: Flashback May 2013.

Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta: "Russian military experts are in Syria,They prepare the four divisions of S-300 for combat."

Updated Syrian Air Force and Air Defense Capabilities 

The U.S. Senate unanimously pledged today to stand by Israel should it take military action against Iran.

The Clock is Ticking!

The U.S. Senate unanimously pledged today to stand by Israel should it take military action against Iran.HT: UskowiOnIran.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee today passed a strong new package of sanctions against Iran. The Nuclear Iran Prevention Act (H.R. 850) significantly expands current U.S. sanctions to more strategic sectors of the Iranian economy and grants the president specific authorization to bar companies from doing business in the United States if they carry out virtually any significant commercial trade with Tehran. The House is expected to pass the bi-partisan sanctions legislation soon. It already has 344 co-sponsors.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate unanimously pledged today to stand by Israel should it take military action against Iran. The resolution specifies that the United States should provide diplomatic, military, and economic support to Israel “in its defense of its territory, people, and existence.” 
The resolution also reiterates that the policy of the United States is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and to take such action as may be necessary to implement this policy. Hmmmm......Alea iacta est, May God have mercy.Read the full story here.

Related: Warning to Russia ? After delay, U.S. Air Force test-launches Minuteman 3 missile in California.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile from a California base on Wednesday, a month after the test flight was postponed because of tensions with North Korea. The Minuteman 3 lifted off at 6:27 a.m. PDT (1327 GMT) Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base. It splashed down less than 30 minutes later and 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometres) away at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, Air Force officials said.

It was the first Minuteman test-launch of 2013. Several missiles are launched from Vandenberg each year to verify the weapon system's accuracy and reliability.

The U.S. has 450 nuclear-armed Minuteman 3 missiles ready for combat use, if directed by the president. They are in underground silos in five states.

Israel preparing for protracted war on three fronts.

Israel preparing for protracted war on three fronts.HT: IsraelMatzav.

Reuters' Dan Williams reports that Israel is preparing for a protracted war on three fronts in the event that Syria's Bashar al-Assad falls. Major-General Amir Eshel also said Israelis should brace for a protracted and painful conflict should their forces engage in combat with Hezbollah or its main backer, Iran.

"If Syria collapses tomorrow, we will need to take action to prevent a strategic looting of advanced weaponry," he told the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Studies near Tel Aviv.

"We have to be ready for any scenario, at a few hours' notice," Eshel said. He assumed fighting could escalate on to three fronts at once and require the Israeli air force to employ "the full spectrum of its might".

Beset by the more than two-year-old insurgency, Assad has not retaliated for the air strikes.

But some Israeli experts worry his forbearance could wear out - especially if he believes new Russian-supplied air defences will let him fend off his militarily superior foe.

Eshel said the most formidable of the Russian systems, the S-300, was "on its way" to Syria and that Israel could not afford to see its air superiority dented given what he predicted would be the need to hit the other side intensively.

"If we want to prevail within a few days, we need to use a lot of firepower, and quickly," he said. "Air superiority is critical, and we must contend with a new generation of capabilities."Hmmmm......May God protect the people of Israel and slay their enemies.Read the full story here.

Russia to deploy fighter jets, anti-aircraft missiles at new Belarus base.

'I'm not a Dictator' Lukashenko and son

Russia to deploy fighter jets, anti-aircraft missiles at new Belarus base.(RT).“We are starting to look into the plan to create a Russian air force base in Belarus with fighter jets. We hope that by 2015 an air force regiment will be based here,” Sergey Shoigu announced.

The Russian defense chief added that a Russian air force HQ in Belarus will be set up by 2014 and test flights by one wing of fighter jets will start in the same year.

Russia will also deliver four battalions of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Belarus in 2014, Shoigu told the press.

The Defense Minister emphasized that in future the Russian Federation would contribute to the Belarus defense capabilities. Belarus has signed an agreement with Russia on creating a joint anti-aircraft defense as did Russia’s eastern neighbor and ally, Kazakhstan.

Currently there are two Russian military installations in Belarus, one the radar station that is part of the missile strike warning system, and the other a communications hub that provides links to Russian nuclear submarines on combat duty.

Russia also has bases in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Tajikistan. However, some of these installations are currently under threat, though mostly for financial reasons.

Last year Russia and Kyrgyzstan restarted a row when the country’s authorities attempted to raise the rent for Russia's base there, and the situation was only resolved after President Putin visited Bishkek.Hmmmm......The Last dictator of the Sovjet era gets a 'facelift' from Putin.Read the full story here.

Iranian Ambassador: Russia cancels S-300 contract with Iran in exchange of no attack from West.

Iranian Ambassador: Russia cancels S-300 contract with Iran in exchange of no attack from West.(TI).In exchange with the West for no military action against Iran, Russia canceled the contract on providing Iran with S-300, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi said, ISNA reported. "One of Russia's conditions to West was not to attack the nuclear facilities in Bushehr," he said. "That is why Russia has halted the delivery of s-300".
Under a contract signed in 2007, Russia was required to provide Iran with at least five S-300 air-defense systems. However, Moscow's continued delays in delivering the defense system drew criticism from the Islamic Republic on several occasions. Russia has been refusing to deliver the system to Iran under the pretext that the system is covered by the fourth round of UN Security Council resolutions against Iran. Iran then sued Russia for breach of the contract and made Moscow return its advance payment along with its interest fees in May. Due to the export ban on S-300 exports to Iran, Russia lost about $1 billion dollars. After Russia annulled the S-300 contract, Iran started making the advanced system domestically. Tehran's defense officials have announced that the early versions of the system will be unveiled as soon as next year. Being influenced by the West and Israel Propaganda, and being Iran's neighbor, Russia feels the security risk for itself, regarding Islamic Republic's nuclear program, Sajjadi said.Read the full story here.