There is no shortage of reasons to be concerned about the entangled drama unfolding in Syria, as Russia maneuvers on a shifting landscape that could see Israel and Iran collide in a direct confrontation.
Commentary in The Wall Street Journal on Monday urged caution on the part of Moscow, arguing that Russia has already nudged the regional arch-enemies closer to war. A recent Israeli strike on a base in Syria that killed seven Iranians, including four Quds Force officers, might have been swept under the rug by Iran, according to the author Dennis Ross, but Russia’s decision to call out Israel for the strike has forced Iran’s hand, increasing the likelihood of retaliation to save face.
Against this backdrop, Israel is warning Russia that air defense systems to be delivered to Syria will be in the Israeli air force’s crosshairs. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed reports this week that it planned to send Russian S-300 defense systems to the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, prompting a response from Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
“One thing should be clear – if someone fires on our planes, we will destroy them,” Lieberman was reported by Haaretz as saying. “What’s important to us is that the weapons defense systems that the Russians transfer to Syria are not used against us. If they are used against us, we will act against them.”
Russian officials, cited in the initial Russian news report on S-300 delivery, cautioned against targeting the equipment. If Israel attacks them, they said, it will suffer “catastrophic consequences.”
Lieberman acknowledged that the S-300 systems were already being used in Syria, but only in defense of Russian assets. He made the distinction that they had not yet been “employed against Israel,” as paraphrased by Haaretz.
Nuruddeen Ahamad sir,what’s the total land mass of Russia not ussr
Nestor Zamora….you guys should be reminded that isreal Hezbollah and Palestine and also Syria at the same time and they won,Russia can not fight a long war now because of their economic problems now,they know if they try anything funny with isreal they are in problem with nato
Well done Russia protect Syrian president airsriken by group of war companies,what’s Israel doing in Syrian air space ….why Israel above world’s laws?
If David a simple Sheppard can bring down Goliath who is Russia. When God’s on their side size and power doesn’t matter.
Let’s talk about something else
I am afraid that most of you are novice in the relationship between Israel and Russia. Russia and Israel can never fight against each other, not even for one day. You who thought that spending millions of dollars in bringing Russia to Middle East in order to counter Israel, are just dreaming. Israel and Russia relations are the same like that of the United States.
Jingahweweh!
Okechukwu Anaele, no doubt they are chosen for seeing the wrath of nature just because of their sins. Forgot Hitler, God only loves people who obey Him and don’t spread mischiefs and don’t kill innocents and weaks… Karma has no menu, it will return what you gave… Wait for the turn.
ok, you will see now the day-dreaming of Israel, if u cant remeber a time when Isral issued a warning and nver acted on it.
Stanley Bett I thought your parents paid for for you study N get some knowledge.who lied to you that Israel is A chosen nation?go back to books and again they are still on the shelves.how comes they don’t tell you about anyone in the bible that there family exisit today?boy Africa is the israel you hear in the babible..the jews are Ethiopians.visit Vatican archives and learn more
Okechukwu Anaele
Beloved my foot that was then. Read the old testament and new testament to see where Moses and Jesus themselves cursed them because of the mischief they caused then and still causing now.
History and evidence from scripture stated this Syrian war will be the downfall of both Israel and the West.
They too know it so they are trying all they can to avoid direct confrontation with Russia.
The movie has just started to unfold.
I have already bought my ticket and popcorn with a drink.
Kamran Lashari What’s the size of Israel and the size of Russia? How many nukes does Israel have, and how many does Russia ? It’s a foolish thing to bully a much bigger bully.
As an Indian I stand by Israel. They are our trusted friend and though Russia is also a friendly state , the level of support offered by Israel has been too good. Moreover like India nder foreign invasion Israel too had suffered a lot by losing millions of our brothers on atrocities against Israel.. so any defending action by Israel is correct in my view
Simply put its USA threatening Russia, Israel has no capacity to fight Russia
Are you aware that one Russian bomb can vaporise the land called Israel?
And all the nuclear bombs in this world can only destroy less than 1%of Russia.
Israel cannot afford to attack even with American backing.
Stop dreaming, Russia will wipe Israel as if they never existed…
if israel attack then russia retaliate its time to dig go ahead destroy the earth
Russia couldnt even retaliated when US killed 100 Russian fighters in a more recent scenario in Syria.He could do it with others but not US,UK or Israel.They ended up using chemical weapons with big arse Assad to rid of rebel fighters.Its really a big shame when two terrorist nations(Russia,Syria)were intimidated by the rebels.
Simdi Israel Bongs terribly
Are you possibly suggesting that Israel will attack Russian base?