45 years after its initial establishment, it’s hard to imagine anyone saw the Tartus naval base in Syria as anything but “permanent,” but Russian officials are looking to formally establish that fact, as well as come to an agreement with the Assad government on a substantial expansion.
The base, such as it is, is Russia’s only naval base in the Mediterranean, but it is small and very limited, unable to provide access to larger warships. Russia seems keen to change that now, and with the Assad government serious indebted to Russia in the ongoing civil war, getting Syria to ratify the terms of the deal should be fairly easy for Russia.
Russian officials say the final terms of the base deal will be finished soon to be presented to Syria, and the Assad government is likely to see this as an expression of Russian commitment to the government’s survival.
Russia has recently deployed an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to the area around the Tartus base, a response to US suggestions that they may unilaterally attack Syria and Russia militarily. This too gives Russia a chance to spin the timing of this announcement as related to US threats, and a sign that Russia won’t be chased out of Syria.
Trump, if elected, will have free hands to change the foreign policy; while his opponent is definitely committed to the old disastrous course.
More like the old disasterous course X10!
Not just old course. Old course was restrained, to hide their nastiness. But now, if they escape this scare of losing power — there is no telling what they will do. There will be purges of all even suspected of disloyalty — they will make their idol Trotsky proud.
I thought their idol is some one like George Soros.
I wish people would explain how Mr. Trump will alter over five decades of continuous policy? He will be a repeat of the bush years, he will enrich himself and his friends and will generally go along with the “Washington consensus”.
do you believe that mr pence would support anything you are calling for?
Next four years are going to be quite important in reshaping of geopolitical situation. Neocons are losing the momentum and now they are on the way for further escalation. President is still the chief of the Army and, I presume, also has some influence over CIA. He can deescalate the situation. I think that is exactly what Trump is going to do and that is why he hated so much by the establishment.
… a chance to spin. We are so used to neocon way of thinking and talking, that boggles the mind. What is there to spin? The fact that Russia was able to help seriously weakened Syrian Army to push the terrorists into the well-defined areas that are either surrounded or cut of from supplies — is something to celebrate. Instead, we have the screeching hyenas, the Western chorus of American lackeys — talking of war crimes! War crimes, when Al-Qaeda is surrounded in east Aleppo — and when UN Special Representative for Syria offers himself to allow Al-Nusra to leave in safety. So much consideration towards Al-Qaeda — I never felt was possible. Until only a few short weeks ago, US and Russia were in total agreement that ISIS and Al-Nusra are to be bombed during any cease fire agreements, as they are terrorist organization. Suddenly, being faced with the fall of the heart of Al-Nusra operation, West is making an abrupt turn — and calling for the protection of Al-Nusra. With the shamelessness only Neocons can posses — the terrorists became “rebels”, and the population that they hold hostages — of no value other then for propaganda purposes. Instead of DEMANDING that Al-Nusra allows population to leave, the Neocons are urging Russia and Syria to halt operation. Clearly — the pressure should be on terrorists to let people leave, but instead it is on Russia to — stop targeting them. Neocons can lie, lie, and lie again — and the press has become their total tool. Nobody, but nobody DARES to say anything to question the narrative.
Trump has not been allowed to make a case to American people, and the questions posed at the “debates” insured that he would not have a chance to do it. So, there we have it.
Is Russia “spinning” anything by making it clearer to those who may pretend they did not hear it before? Or just making sure that the handwriting on the wall is being clear enough.
Russia is making great gains with the world. Oct 10, 2016 The rocky relations of Russia and Turkey
Less than a year ago relations between Moscow and Ankara soured after a Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian Su-24M bomber over the Turkish-Syrian border last November.
https://youtu.be/y7wP1uQPZ8g