The Israeli website Ynetnews first wrote on August 31 that Russian forces have been deployed in Syria to launch attacks against the Islamic State. The story carried the byline of Alex Fishman, a military correspondent who enjoys good connections with the Israeli security establishment.
To be sure, within hours, the Israeli intelligence website DebkaFile embellished the story and came out with ‘supplementary information’, adding that Russian airborne troops “are preparing to land in Syria”.
Almost instantaneously, the Daily Beast and Washington Times picked up the story.
Oh boy, the very next day, ie., by Wednesday, all hell broke loose in the American, British, and