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  • Russia Sends Aircraft Carrier and Warships to Syria

    One is tempted to say it is understandable why Moscow is fretting about Syria. They have seen their allies falling to the West one by one, with Iran now on the ropes, they really risk losing all their allies in the region. The experience of the Chinese in Libya must be haunting them
    Moscow is deploying warships at its base in the Syrian port of Tartus. The long-planned mission comes, providentially, at the very moment when it could help prevent a potential conflict in the strategically important Middle Eastern country.
    The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov.
    Russian military officials insist that the move has no connection with the ongoing crisis in the region and was planned a year ago, the Izvestia newspaper reports. Apart from Syria, the aircraft carrier and its escort ships are set to visit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Genoa in Italy and Cyprus, says the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Viktor Kravchenko.
    Nevertheless, he added that the presence of a military force other than NATO’s is very useful for this region, because “it will prevent the outbreak of an armed conflict,” Izvestia quoted Kravchenko as saying.
    The Soviet Union, the Admiral recalled, created a special naval squadron to deter Western military forces in the Mediterranean Sea. To repair and supply its ships, Moscow needed its own maintenance base in the region, and that was how the base in Tartus came into being.
    At present, the base is mostly used to support vessels of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Some 600 military and civilian personnel of the Defense Ministry serve there.
    News of Russia’s naval deployment in Tartus came shortly after the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush anchored off Syria, along with additional naval vessels. The US battle group is to remain in the Mediterranean, allegedly to conduct maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. The US 6th Fleet is also patrolling the area, Interfax reports.
    “Of course, the Russian naval forces in the Mediterranean will be incommensurate with those of the US 6th Fleet, which includes one or two aircraft carriers and several escort ships,” Admiral Kravchenko explained. “But today, no one talks about possible military clashes, since an attack on any Russian ship would be regarded as a declaration of war with all the consequences.”
    The mission is set to start in early December, when the Admiral Kuznetsov begins its journey in the Barents Sea, accompanied by another vessel of Russia’s Northern Fleet, the heavy ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko. The group will then skirt the European continent from the west and enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
    Later, they will be joined by frigate Ladny of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. It will travel through the Bosphorus, with a stop-over in Malta’s Valletta.
    Admiral Kuznetsov will be carrying eight Sukhoi Su-33 all-weather fighters, two Kamov Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters and several brand new Mig-29K fighters. The Mig fighters were built for India’s air force and are supposed to be “tested” during their first assignment.
    Military officials have stressed that all flights will be performed in open waters, away from the Syrian coast.
    Unlike American aircraft carriers, designed largely as floating runways, Admiral Kuznetsov is a heavily-armed aircraft-carrying cruiser. Its primary armaments, among others, are 12 long-range surface-to-surface anti-ship Granit cruise missiles, a six-gun short-range surface-to-air missile system Kinzhal, eight close-in air defense Kashtan gun-missile systems and two UDAV-1 anti-submarine systems.
    The Admiral Kuznetsov has already been twice to the port of Tartus during its assignments in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean in 1995 and 2007.Link

  • #2
    When we do this the world is about to end, people start hating us even more, and America is just a killing machine. When Russia does its protecting its interests. Go figure. Russia gets what Russia deserves. It's what happen when you vote in a communist who pretends to be a progressive and then starts the cold war over again.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Tanker View Post
      When we do this the world is about to end, people start hating us even more, and America is just a killing machine. When Russia does its protecting its interests. Go figure. Russia gets what Russia deserves. It's what happen when you vote in a communist who pretends to be a progressive and then starts the cold war over again.
      Putin pretended to be a progressive?
      sigpic

      Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Bigfella View Post
        Putin pretended to be a progressive?
        Look at my avatar. ;)
        Winter is coming.

        Comment


        • #5
          Russian ship carrying arms to Syria reappears near Turkish port

          14 January 2012 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM WITH AP,
          A Russian ship suspected of delivering munitions to Syria in violation of an EU arms embargo after an unscheduled stop in Greek Cyprus has anchored off Turkey's coast, officials said Saturday.
          Foreign Ministry official Selçuk Ünal said Turkish coast guard and customs officials would board the Chariot before allowing it to dock at the port of İskenderun.

          Ünal said the ship left the Syrian port of Tartus early Saturday and reached İskenderun later the same day. He said the ship's captain confirmed that the ship had arrived from Syria. But it's unclear what type of cargo the St. Vincent and Grenadines-flagged ship may have offloaded at Tartus.

          The Chariot initially made its way to the Greek Cypriot port of Limassol on Tuesday after running low on fuel because of rough seas. It's arrival at the European Union member country meant the vessel would be subject to the embargo the bloc imposed to protest Syria's crackdown on the uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule.

          Customs officials inspecting the vessel found that it was carrying "dangerous cargo" inside four containers that Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias said was of a type that necessitated its seizure under EU embargo rules.

          A Greek Cypriot official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the containers carried a shipment of bullets.

          But Greek Cypriot authorities allowed it to leave Wednesday after the ship's owners, St. Petersburg-based Westberg Ltd., said it would head to Turkey instead of Syria.

          The ship then vanished off radar screens after apparently switching off its Automatic Identification System, or AIS, that enables the vessel to be tracked.


          Turkey, citing navy intelligence, said the ship made its way to Tartus after leaving Greek Cyprus.

          US officials said Friday they had expressed concerns to both Russia and Greek Cyprus.

          Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US was "continuing to seek clarification" about the ship and its cargo.

          But Greek Cypriot administration spokesman Stefanos Stefanou on Saturday repeated that authorities "acted in accordance with EU regulations" and that no one from either the EU or elsewhere has raised any questions about the administration's handling of the matter.

          Arms trafficking expert Hugh Griffiths said he has been monitoring the Chariot - a purpose-built ship to carry dangerous cargoes such as ammunition, explosives and missiles - which has a history of delivering arms to sensitive destinations in the Middle East and Africa.

          He said ships switching off their AIS is "standard operating procedure" for ships involved in drugs trafficking and clandestine arms shipments.

          Griffiths, who works for the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said although the EU has an information-sharing system on suspect air cargo companies, no such mechanism exists to automatically alert other member states of suspicious ships.

          He said this is especially important for countries like Greek Cyprus situated near busy shipping lanes near conflict zones.

          "Had the Cypriot government known the profile of (this) vessel, its track record and the fact that destabilizing arms transfers are what it does, then they might not have been so willing to take the word of the ship's owner or captain," he told The Associated Press.

          With foreknowledge of a suspicious ship, EU authorities would have been able to provide the kind of support that smaller countries with limited resources may need to properly handle such cases.

          Last summer, Greek Cyprus experienced a disaster when 85 confiscated containers loaded with Iranian gunpowder exploded at a naval base, killing 13 people and knocking out the country's main power station.

          The containers were seized in February 2009 from a Greek Cypriot-flagged ship that was suspected of transporting them from Iran to Palestinian militants in Gaza through Syria.


          Russian ship carrying arms to Syria reappears near Turkish port
          Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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          • #6
            Russia vows to block Western intervention in SyriaUpdated 1h 48m ago Comments
            BEIRUT (AP) – Syria's powerful allies in Russia vowed Wednesday to block any Western attempts to intervene militarily in Syria as Damascus fights off an increasingly chaotic 10-month-old revolt against President Bashar Assad.

            The support came as Assad was showing fresh confidence that he can ride out the uprising with the help of a small — but influential — set of friends in Russia, China and Iran.

            Iran also gave Syria another boost Wednesday. According to Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency, with the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Brig. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, said Assad's government enjoys public support and won't collapse.


            Assad, a 46-year-old authoritarian leader who inherited power from his father in 2000, has made two public appearances last week, where he vowed to strike back with an "iron hand" against the "conspiracy" behind the uprising. Assad has rarely turned up in public during the uprising, and his appearances showed he was still firmly in charge.

            But protesters show no sign of retreat despite the brutal military crackdown that the U.N. says has killed more than 5,400 people since March. And the uprising is turning increasingly militarized as more frustrated regime opponents and army defectors arm themselves and fight back against the regime.

            The comments by Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov were one of Moscow's strongest statements of support yet for Assad. As one of five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, Russia can veto any Council resolution that would authorize military intervention in Syria.

            "If some intend to use force at all cost … we can hardly prevent that from happening," Lavrov told a news conference in Moscow. "But let them do it at their own initiative on their own conscience. They won't get any authorization from the U.N. Security Council."

            Lavrov said his country's draft of a U.N. Security Council resolution on the violence in Syria, which was circulated at the U.N. on Monday, aimed to make it explicitly clear that nothing could justify foreign military interference. However, Western diplomats said the draft fell short of their demand for strong condemnation of Assad's crackdown on civilians.

            Russia has been a strong ally of Syria since Soviet times when the country was led by the president's father Hafez Assad. Nevertheless, Russian officials last fall hosted prominent Syrian opposition leaders in Moscow in a bid to sponsor talks.

            Lavrov's comments made clear that Russia's position on intervention in Syria has not changed.

            "Russia has a number of interests which would be protected by ensuring that there is no external interference in domestic developments in the country," said Anthony Skinner, associate director at Maplecroft, a British-based risk analysis company. Russia sells weapons to Syria and the country's Tartous port gives the Russians a foothold in the Levant region.

            But Skinner said the Russian support is not grounds for Assad to feel more secure in his position.

            "If you look at the overall longer term dynamic, it's not something that he should draw any confidence from," he said. "As we have seen with autocrats throughout the region, they at times live in an alternative reality and they have to project an image of strength confidence and power," he said.

            Syria's regime has grown increasingly isolated over the past 10 months as it waged a brutal military crackdown on an anti-government uprising inspired by the Arab Spring revolts across the region. The U.N. says the violence has killed more than 5,400 people since March.

            The Security Council has been unable to agree on a resolution since the violence began because of strong opposition from Russia and China, another permanent, veto-wielding member of the Security Council. In October, both countries vetoed a West European draft resolution backed by the U.S. that condemned Assad's attacks and threatened sanctions.

            Russia has sold Syria weapons systems in the past, including the advanced surface-to-air Strelets system, and its warships already had been calling on Syria's northern port of Tartous.

            The Syrian opposition and Western countries have also accused Iran, Syria's closest ally in the Middle East, of assisting the regime in its crackdown.

            A senior Obama administration official said Tuesday that a recent visit by the commander of Iran's powerful Quds Force to Damascus is the strongest sign yet that Washington's arch foe Tehran is supplying weapons to aid Assad's crackdown.

            On Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron also said Iran and Iranian-backed Islamist group Hezbollah in Lebanon are supporting Syria's violent crackdown on the uprising — accusations that both have denied.

            As diplomats debated, opposition activists said Syrian troops shelled the mountain resort town of Zabadani near the border with Lebanon, which has come under the control of army defectors. They said living conditions were deteriorating there after six days of a military siege.

            There have been several other instances when the opposition or defectors have gained control of a town or city, but ultimately the Syrian military recaptured them.

            The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Zabadani was hit with heavy machine gun fire early Wednesday.

            A resident and activist in Zabadani described the town as a "war zone." He said dozens of anti-government army defectors are deployed at the entrances to prevent any attempt by forces loyal to Assad to storm the area.

            The man, who identified himself only as Fares for fear of government reprisal, told The Associated Press by phone that the town was shelled with mortars shortly before noon Wednesday. He added that two security buildings inside Zabadani are still under government control but there have not been any clashes with the forces there.

            Fares said food is running out and fuel for heating is very scarce in Zabadani, where it snowed earlier this week.

            The anti-Assad revolt, which began as a peaceful uprising by mostly civilian, unarmed protesters has turned increasingly militarized in recent months with growing numbers of army defectors who clash with troops.

            The Observatory said there were also clashes between defectors and regular troops in the northwestern province of Idlib, near the border with Turkey. It added that security forces shot dead a civilian in the province. At least 10 civilians and several defectors were killed in fighting in Idlib and shooting in the central city of Homs Wednesday, according to activists.

            The Russian foreign minister also addressed reports that a Russian ship had recently delivered munitions to Syria in violation of a European Union arms embargo. He said Russia doesn't feel a need to explain or offer excuses.

            Lavrov said Russia was acting in full respect of international law and wouldn't be guided by unilateral sanctions imposed by other nations.

            "We haven't violated any international agreements or the U.N. Security Council resolutions," he said. "We are only trading with Syria in items which aren't banned by international law."

            Lavrov accused the West of turning a blind eye to attacks by opposition militants and supplies of weapons to the Syrian opposition from abroad.

            "They are dodging the main question: Why we should keep silent about the extremist opposition's actions against administrative buildings, hospitals, schools?" He urged the West to use its contacts with the opposition to pressure activists to refrain from violence.

            He said that arms supplies to the Syrian opposition are "unacceptable and absolutely counterproductive because it only fuels more violence."

            Assad's government blames the violence in Syria on terrorists and armed gangs that it claims are part of a foreign conspiracy to destabilize the country.

            Russia vows to block Western intervention in Syria as revolt continues


            *Which pretty much confirms Russia's arms shipment to Syria in the prior post.

            Russia seems to forget that if force wants to intervene then they dont need Russia's ok and wuill do it just like they did to Georgia.

            They also seem to forget they waited until no one was looking to attack Georgia and mentioned not one word to the UNSC that they sit upon as well knowing it would have been VETO'd.

            Sorry, cant have it both ways.
            Last edited by Dreadnought; 19 Jan 12,, 01:28.
            Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

            Comment


            • #7
              Dreadnought, et al,

              Yes --- most interesting. But not totally unexpected.

              Originally posted by Dreadnought View Post
              Russia vows to block Western intervention in Syria/Updated 1h 48m ago Comments
              BEIRUT (AP) – [B]Syria's powerful allies in Russia vowed Wednesday to block any Western attempts to intervene militarily in Syria as Damascus fights off an increasingly chaotic 10-month-old revolt against President Bashar Assad.
              (COMMENT)

              We knew that the Russians had a standing security agreement with Syria. This is another one of those National Security Decision Making flaws that the NSC and DOS keep making.

              The US needs to back-up.

              We simply don't play well in this Region. And we have no allies that can assist, should we get in trouble.

              Most Respectfully,
              R

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              • #8
                I still say a couple of SSGN's in the eastern Med wouldn't be a bad idea . . . . .
                "There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." -Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge

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                • #9
                  Russia vows to block Western intervention in Syria BEIRUT (AP) – Syria's powerful allies in Russia vowed Wednesday to block any Western attempts to intervene militarily in Syria as Damascus fights off an increasingly chaotic 10-month-old revolt against President Bashar Assad.

                  I bet the USN is excited about this - if the Russians try to "block" the USN, it will probably amount to some promotions for sinking their intervention forces. While the Russians maybe a naval power to be reconned with in their home waters - I don't see them effectively thwarting anything the US decides to do in the Med. I doubt they would do more than show their flag and rattle their sabers - opening fire first would be a bad move.
                  sigpic"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees.
                  If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children."

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                  • #10
                    I think the Russian election might have something to do with this....... also an increase in oil price is something Putin does not mind to see.
                    “the misery of being exploited by capitalists is nothing compared to the misery of not being exploited at all” -- Joan Robinson

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                    • #11
                      Xinhui Reply

                      "I think the Russian election might have something to do with this....... also an increase in oil price is something Putin does not mind to see."

                      Yup. Domestic audience along with a boost to their purse. Their own admiral acknowledged there's little tangibly that Russia can do vis-a-vis the 6th Fleet. Further, they aren't worried about having to do anything. The last thing we want right now is any military dance involving Syria. We've got plenty to think about in the gulf.
                      "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                      "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by xinhui View Post
                        also an increase in oil price is something Putin does not mind to see.
                        He does. Putin is well aware that 200-300$ per oil barrel will kill Europian and China economy very quickly. And there is nothing good about it for Russia in a long run.

                        He is trying to save Europe from their own madness.
                        Last edited by NUS; 19 Jan 12,, 05:10.
                        Winter is coming.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          "...He is trying to save Europe from their own madness."

                          Quite the guy, that Putineer.
                          "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                          "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by S2 View Post
                            "...He is trying to save Europe from their own madness."

                            Quite the guy, that Putineer.
                            Agreed S2, However his understanding of how many lives are being lost is more like Stalinist.

                            You know as well as I do that every man has his god given Rights and no dictator has the right to rule forever nor deny man (women also) their Rights of choosing who shall rule the many. After Putins last bogus pre election clusterfuck you would have thought for supposedly such an intelligent man this message would have sunk in. Politics or no politics. Oil or no Oil.
                            Last edited by Dreadnought; 19 Jan 12,, 05:15.
                            Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by NUS View Post
                              He does. Putin is well aware that 200-300$ per oil barrel will kill Europian and China economy very quickly. And there is nothing good about it for Russia in a long run.

                              He is trying to save Europe from their own madness.
                              The great saver Putin. So tell us, is a human life worth $200-$300 a barrel in his infinite wisdom?

                              IMO, those that are aiding Assad have no more value of life then what their past and present show. With ofcourse the exception of their very own. What does that tell you given Iran, Russia and China. And those that would rather die first then reliquish power to the true owners of it....the people.

                              I bet Putin was in a big time hissy when Gorby called his elections bogus too.
                              Last edited by Dreadnought; 19 Jan 12,, 05:19.
                              Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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