Wherein Steve Lendman questions Russia's strange decision to withhold this powerful weapon from Syria at a moment of mounting danger. Is there something we are not aware of?
In 2011, Russia contractually agreed to supply Syria with S-300 air defense systems before Washington launched war on the country – using ISIS and other terrorists as proxy troops, followed later by US-led terror-bombing.
Damascus needed these defense systems earlier. Now they’re vital to its survival to counter escalating US and Israeli aggression. In September 2015, Russia intervened in Syria at the behest of Assad, a minimal force deployed to combat US-supported ISIS and al-Nusra, not other groups equally bloodthirsty – falsely called “rebels.”
Years of Kremlin diplomacy since 2012 failed to achieve any breakthroughs – nor are any in prospect ahead. Endless US-led aggression on the Syria continues. Russia achieved nothing to resolve it. Syrian forces are no match against Washington and Israel if greater war erupts. It vitally needs advanced air defense systems to combat aerial attacks on the country – its present systems inadequate.
IF RUSSIA WITHHOLDS S-300 AND S-400 BATTERIES FROM IRAN, TOO, IT MAY DO IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO ITS OWN STRATEGIC POSITION AND GLOBAL CREDIBILITY.
Since 2011, Moscow repeatedly delayed delivery of S-300s – bowing to the will of Washington and Israel, forsaking its longtime Syrian ally on this vital issue. In April, Russian General Staff Spokesman General Sergey Rudskoy said “I would like to note that a few years ago, taking into account a pressing request of some of our Western partners (sic), we stopped supplying S-300 air defense systems to Syria,” adding:
Given current developments, Moscow believes it is “possible to return to mulling over the issue, and not only with regard to Syria but also to other states as well.”
Current Syrian air defense systems were produced by Soviet Russia, way inadequate for current needs. Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is ready to supply S-300s if approved by the Kremlin.
It’s not forthcoming, not now at least. According to Putin’s military technical cooperation aide Vladimir Kozhin, Russia will not supply S-300s to Syria’s military – nor are talks about possible delivery being held.
Kozhin falsely claimed Syrian armed forces have “all” the air defense systems “they need” – a shameful remark, clearly untrue. Failure to supply with what Syria vitally needs constitutes betrayal – yielding to US/Israeli interests at the expense of its own security.
If Russia fails to confront US-led aggression in Syria more forcefully, Assad could fall, his government replaced, isolating Iran ahead of similar action to replace the Islamic Republic with pro-Western puppet rule.
It’s no match against US/Israeli aggression if events unfold this way. If they achieve regional hegemony, Russia and China are next on Washington’s target list.
That’s how imperialism works. The US seeks global hegemony by eliminating all sovereign independent governments – by whatever it takes to achieve this objective, no matter now lawless, destructive, and harmful to humanity.
STEPHEN LENDMAN was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient. His new site is at http://stephenlendman.org
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