Russia’s announcement earelier this week that they intend to deliver as many as eight S-300 air defense systems to Syria, to cover the entire country’s airspace, provoked a lot of anger from Israel and the US, who complained it is an escalation, and threatens regional stability.
Syria continues to say it expects that the S-300 defenses will give Israel pause against attacking them in the future. Israel, however, does not expect this to have any impact on their continued attacks on Syria.
According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he has received multiple “guarantees” from President Trump that he remains free to operate militarily against Syria as he wishes, and that the Russian deliveries won’t be allowed to threaten that.
Netanyahu wasn’t clear what these guarantees were, or how they would negate the realities of the S-300s having the capability of shooting down any Israeli planes that raid Syrian airspace and attack Syria.
Russia’s shipments are clear retaliation for last week’s Israeli attack that led to the downing of a Russian plane, and is obviously intended in part to limit future Israeli attacks.
I’m waiting with bated breath for the Russians to knock down a few Israeli jets. Is the US prepared to go to war against Russia to ensure that Israel has free rein to attack Syria illegally?
Israel will have to deploy higher value assets in order to attack Syria. They can, but it’s going to be more costly and come with more risk. The Russians won’t engage unless they’re seriously provoked, but if they do decide to say, “Ok, we’re now in a fight”, whoever is on the other side of that equation is historically screwed.
America will respond by arming the rebels with more lethal munitions that will make it more costly for the Russians aswell. Make no mistake America and it’s ally Israel know how to overwhelm a S-300 defense system. I hope Russia’s in it for the long haul because, if it makes the mistake of shooting down Israeli planes it’s gonna cost them dearly. Imagine a scenario where Israel is forced to launch missiles into Syria while it’s pilots drop a bomb directly on Assads palace. They’ve flown their jets over his palace before just to let him know how possible it is to remove him. Come on Russia bring your missile defense systems into the theatre, let the world see how fast Syria turned into Afghanistan can happen. It’s gonna cost you Russia so better start supplying more weapons to Iran and Syria’s enemies.
There are lots of “Mr. Knapps” in the world. Even if you are “a” real one (unlikely, as you would have brought it up before if you were — hint, Uncle Sam, if you’re going to try to convince people you’re someone else you might not want to use the same email address and IP range and make the same arguments and spelling and grammar errors), you’re not “the” real one.
Israeli planes have already been shot down over Syria this year. As I pointed out when you said the same thing under another name.
I’m glad you called out this shape-changer, Thomas. English is obviously not his first language.
Mr.Knapp you know this is satire…Gotta have a little fun every now and then.
The upvote was for the comedic blather you provide with your myriad of handles.
What makes anyone think that we can easily predict the future? That Israel is going to be protected by US no matter what the consequences. Chess pieces are lining up, and — no rush. At this point, a significant move on the chessboard has occured. Russia is no longer providing Israel with assurances. It is now positioned on Golan boundary, and can easily change from protector of the line of conflict to enabler. As far as other chess pieces are concerned, it looks as follows. Turkey will be in with Russia against Israel, and so will Iraq — no matter US presence there. Of all Gulf “allies”, US can count only in UAE. Saudi Arabia shifted subtly — it no longer provides ideological base for extreme Salafi brand, and no more money to them either. If Israel or US plan to extenf lingevity if ISIS or Al-Qaeda, they will have to do it at their own expense. But without ideological-religious fervor, money may buy only saboteurs and hit and run terrorists, no longer capable to infect locals with religious mantra. Why is it that Turkey has been able to put hundreds if former Salafi/Wahabi groups under its “protection”, and control? It is because these are licals that bought into extreme religion, and now that they are abandoned by Saudi Arabia — look to Turkey to provide them with protection. They know that the peace would be on Assad terms, so Turkey is an insurance policy against retribution. Others reconciled with Government directly. The best indication is the largest Saudi funded group —Jaish Al -Islam. Once with 20,000 fighters, now under Turkey’s command. The only international/mercenary force is Al-Qaeda, HTS, with White Helmets movie production outfit. But ince Russia and Turkey establish the security zone around Idlib, meaning perling off the last of non-Al-Qaeda groups from Idlib — the Western funded HTS will be thoroughly isolated. Ni supplies. Unless West in its infinite juvenile wisdom decides on airlift to help poir terrorists last stand. Let us see what other chess pieces will be there on Israel US side? Jordan? With Trump stopping payments to UN agency in support of Palestinian refugees — over 50% of Jordan gets new Palestinian citizens. Let us see how will that work out. So, lets take out Patriots from Jordan, giving Israel a leg up jn attacking future Palestinian majority state. But all it means ine less US ally. Kuwait has 40% of Shia population, Bahrain 80%, Oman has good relations with Iran, Qatar shares gas field with Iran — and has Turkish military base. South Yemen wants to seceede, we won’t let them until Nirth is brought to heel, if it takes killing all of their children . We are responsible for this crime 100%, thus the moaning in Congress. Congress wants this blood, but not the blame. There is not kne ally left in the Middle East. Chess lieces just changed colors.
its all good even if the s300s knock down a few more Israeli Jets. they can be given all new F35s bought by US tax payer
Everyone in the fake alternative news blogs business has been shouting for the past several years that denial of Syrian airspace to Israel and/or America would cause WWIII.
That S-300s in Syrian hands would result in WWIII.
That Putin is a great chess player for allowing the IAF and the USAF to bomb and kill Russians and Syrians and their other allies with impunity.
What happened to all of you? Did you go nuts all of a sudden? Why the 180 degree change of heart suddenly, you bunch of insidious hypocrites and CIA trolls.
Assuming this is for real,
This did not start WWIII as all Putin apologists have been claiming for the past several years, did it?
So *Why*
Did the Russians not do this *before* Syria was bombed 200+ times by the Israelis and countless times by the Americans, resulting in hundreds of Russian deaths? https://thedefensepost.com/2018/02/10/russians-killed-coalition-strikes-deir-ezzor-syria/
And hundreds of Syrian deaths? https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/world/middleeast/us-airstrike-syrian-troops-isis-russia.html
Why did Putin allow the Israelis and the Americans to murder the Syrians and their allies with impunity, including Russian citizens as per above?
Who will be held responsible for the loss of men and materiel which could have been prevented *without* starting World War III as the apologists of this failed policy of appeasement have been shouting all these years.
I am sorry, my Russian and Syrian comrades who fell in the line of duty, betrayed.
Who will answer for this crime?
Not the hasbara scum on this blog and elsewhere I presume.
The US can’t “guarantee” anything. And they can’t “prevent” anything, either. Netanyahu is just blustering again because he knows he screwed up with the Russian plane downing and has pissed off Russia well and truly this time.
He will try sending a few more jets in various ways to try to push Russia to back down – but it will be Syrians shooting down Israeli planes with those S-300’s – and maybe occasionally some Russians, which he won’t be able to prove. After he loses two or three planes, he will back down and fume and cry to Trump. Trump will do nothing because he understands Putin is a serious guy, regardless of what his neocon advisers tell him.
Netanyahu assumes the US has his back in all things – and mostly it does. But not when it comes to WWIII with Russia. The Pentagon knows what Russia can do and they are in no hurry to start WWIII, and Mattis will tell Trump so – at least until Mattis is kicked out, which will likely happen before the year is out.
Seems the trolls have finally discovered Antiwar. Just shows how this site’s influence and reach have increased. Congrats to Jason & Co.!
So when did Trump become President of Syria? “According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he has received multiple “guarantees” from President Trump that he remains free to operate militarily against Syria as he wishes,”
If Israel wants to get jiggy with Russia, Bibi’s liable to find out real quick how a fleet of strategic bombers- aging, but still effective- can visit some serious damage on a small country. Russia isn’t keeping its TU-95’s operational just for show.
Israel has publicly unmasked itself as a genocidal terrorist rogue nation, that supports terrorists!
It’s time to let them stand alone and remove all support!
Israel has been “unmasked” for a long long time. Problem is, the only people that can stop it are either complicit, unwilling or “neutered”.