Russia Moves Ahead With Syria, Belarus Missile Plans
On a visit to Moscow earlier this month, Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked Russia not to sell weapons to his country’s enemies. Although Syria denied reports that it was in missile defense talks with Russia, it appears to be the case. Russia plans to station S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Syria. (Source)
As Russia tries to shore up its missile defense system, the country is aligning itself with countries like Syria, whose two naval bases are of great interest to Russia. In addition to building floating piers at one of the bases, Russia is expanding the other. Both will host Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. As expected, this will impede Israel’s ability to work near Syria.
Additionally, Russia has entered into a treaty with Belarus to expand and integrate missile defense systems. As UPI reports, Russia’s plans with Belarus are part of a larger program to fortify Russia’s stand against NATO in the event of war.
Pavel Borodin, state secretary of the Supreme State Council of the Russia-Belarus Union State, made Russia’s intentions very plain: “Militarily speaking, it is virtually a shield against NATO.”
(Photo source: RIA Novosti)
