The following articles are compiled by:

Rick Allinson

Rick@WatchmenWatching.com

 

 

 

 

Russia plans buildup in the Mediterranean: 'Russia has strategic interests'
Source: World Tribune
 

05 February 2008 – Russia has completed a two-week naval exercise in the Mediterranean and plans to re-establish its footprint in the region.

 

Russian navy commander Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky said his force would establish a presence in areas deemed by Moscow as strategic. Vysotsky said this would include the Mediterranean and the neighboring Atlantic Ocean.

 

"What is important is that we have arrived [in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean] at a scheduled time and not just that we appeared there," Vysotsky said on Feb. 3. "We'll do all we can to build up our presence where Russia has strategic interests."

 

The Russian Navy has concluded a two month tour of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. The operation was deemed the first large-scale Russian navy exercise in the region in 15 years.

 

Moscow has been conducting naval exercises with such Mediterranean states as Algeria and Syria. Russia has been financing the upgrade of Syria's port of Tartous to accommodate large naval ships.

 

On Jan. 18, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva guided missile cruiser, joined Russian naval warships in the Mediterranean to participate in a two-week exercise. The Russian naval task force consisted of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, Admiral Levchenko and Admiral Chabanenko Udaloy-Class destroyers as well as support vessels.

 

More than 40 aircraft participated in the exercise, which ended on Feb. 2. They included Russian Air Force's Tu-160 Blackjacks, Tu-95MS Bears, Tu-22M3 Backfire-C strategic bombers, A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning aircraft, Il-78 Midas aerial tankers, MiG-31 Foxhound long-range interceptors and Su-27 Flanker frontline fighter aircraft.
 

Syria acquiring Russian rockets at 'furious' pace
Source: WND

 

07 February 2008 – Syria, aided by Russia and Iran, in recent months has been furiously acquiring rockets and missiles, including projectiles capable of hitting the entire state of Israel, according to Jordanian and Israeli security officials speaking to WND.

A Jordanian security official said one of the main reasons Damascus did not retaliate after Israel carried out its Sept. 6 airstrike inside Syria allegedly targeting a nascent nuclear facility was because Syria's rocket infrastructure was not yet complete.

The official said after the Israeli airstrike, Syria picked up the pace of acquiring rockets and missiles, largely from Russia with Iranian backing, with the goal of completing its missile and rocket arsenal by the end of the year. The Jordanian official said Syria is aiming to possess enough projectiles to fire over 100 rockets into Israel per hour for a sustained period of time.

"The Syrians have three main goals," explained the Jordanian official. "To maximize their antitank, antiaircraft and ballistic missile and rocket capabilities."

According to Israeli and Jordanian officials, Syria recently quietly struck a deal with Russia that allows Moscow to station submarines and warboats off Syrian ports. In exchange, Russia is supplying Syria with weaponry at lower costs, with some of the missiles and rockets being financed by Iran.

"The Iranians opened an extended credit line with Russia for Syria with the purpose of arming Syria," said one Jordanian security official.

"Russia's involvement and strategic positioning is almost like a return to its Cold War stance," the official said.  

 

Comments: Syria is acquiring rockets and missiles at a furious pace for the purpose of striking Israel in the event that Israel strikes Iran. Eliminating Iran’s nuclear program is Israel’s primary goal but after the initial strike Israel will find itself at war with Syria, Hezbollah and Iran the day after. This is the problem Israel is facing and the threat is very real. Adding to this dangerous dilemma is Russia. Russia is flexing their muscle in the Mediterranean and helping upgrade the Syrian port for a permanent presence in the region. Like the top article explains above, Russian navy commander Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky says… "What is important is that we have arrived [in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean] at a scheduled time and not just that we appeared there," Russia is not conducting naval exercises in the area (at this time) out of convienience, in my opinion they are in the area to deter Israel against an Iranian attack. Remember that the U.S. has an Aegis Missile ship in the Port of Haifa this week to train IDF troops in the event of an Iranian missile attack. I believe that as we get closer to the time that Iran is set to commission their nuclear reactor at Bushehr, Israel will be getting set to attack. The news is telling us that everyone in the region is starting to get ready for the inevitable.

 

Ps 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:


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