Dis Israel just threaten to use force against Russia?

[Phoenix]

Has that ever really gone well for anyone in the past?

http://news.yahoo.com/israel-warns-r...132538404.html


JERUSALEM (AP) ? Israel's defense chief said Tuesday a Russian plan to supply sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Syria was a "threat" and signaled that Israel is prepared to use force to stop the delivery.

The warning by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratcheted up tensions with Moscow over the planned sale of S-300 air-defense missiles to Syria. Earlier in the day, a top Russian official said his government remained committed to the deal.

Israel has been lobbying Moscow to halt the sale, fearing the missiles would upset the balance of power in the region and could slip into the hands of hostile groups, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, a close ally of the Syrian regime.

Israel has carried out several airstrikes in Syria in recent months that are believed to have destroyed weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah. Israel has not confirmed carrying out the attacks.

The delivery of the Russian missiles to Syria could limit the Israeli air force's ability to act. It is not clear whether Israeli warplanes entered Syrian airspace in these attacks.

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Russia to discuss the Syrian situation with President Vladimir Putin. The sides have said little about the talks, but the S-300s were believed to have been on the agenda.

"Clearly this move is a threat to us," Yaalon told reporters Tuesday when asked about the planned Russian sale.

"At this stage I can't say there is an escalation. The shipments have not been sent on their way yet. And I hope that they will not be sent," he said. But "if God forbid they do reach Syria, we will know what to do."

Since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011, Israel repeatedly has voiced concerns that Syria's sophisticated arsenal, including chemical weapons, could either be transferred to Hezbollah, a bitter enemy of Israel, or fall into the hands of rebels battling Syrian President Bashar Assad. The rebels include al-Qaida-affiliated groups that Israel believes could turn their attention toward Israel if they topple Assad.

Syria already possesses Russian-made air defenses, and Israel is believed to have used long-distance bombs fired from Israeli or Lebanese airspace. The S-300s would expand Syria's capabilities, allowing it to counter airstrikes launched from foreign airspace as well.

In Moscow, Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, wouldn't say whether Russia has shipped any of the S-300s, which have a range of up to 200 kilometers (125 miles) and the capability to track and strike multiple targets simultaneously. But he insisted that Moscow isn't going to abandon the deal despite strong Western and Israeli criticism.

"We understand the concerns and signals sent to us from different capitals. We realize that many of our partners are concerned about the issue," Ryabkov said. "We have no reason to revise our stance."

He said the missiles could be a deterrent against foreign intervention in Syria and would not be used against Syrian rebels, who do not have an air force.

"We believe that such steps to a large extent help restrain some 'hotheads' considering a scenario to give an international dimension to this conflict," he said.

Russia has been the key ally of the Syrian regime, protecting it from United Nations sanctions and providing it with weapons despite the civil war there that has claimed over 70,000 lives.

In any case, an open confrontation between Israel and Russia would seem to be months away. Russian military analysts say it would take at least one year for Syrian crews to learn how to operate the S-300s, and the training will involve a live drill with real ammunition at a Russian shooting range. There has been no evidence that any such training has begun.

If Russia were to deliver the missiles to Syria, Israeli and Western intelligence would likely detect the shipment, and Israel would have ample time to strike before the system is deployed.

Ryabkov's statement came a day after European Union's decision to lift an arms embargo against Syrian rebels. He criticized the EU decision, saying it would help fuel the conflict.

Israel's defense chief spoke at an annual civil defense drill to prepare for missile attacks on Israel. This year's exercise comes at a time of heightened concerns that Israel could be dragged into the Syrian civil war.

A number of mortar shells from the fighting in Syria have landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. While Israel believes most of the fire has been errant, it has accused Syria of firing intentionally at Israeli targets on several occasions, and last week the sides briefly exchanged fire.

Israel's civil defense chief, Home Front Minister Gilad Erdan, said this week's drill was not specifically connected to the tensions with Syria.

"But of course we must take into consideration that something like that might happen in the near future because of what we see in Syria, and because we know that chemical weapons exist in Syria and might fall to the hands of radical Muslim terror groups," he said.

[crockett]

They don't have to strike the Russian shipment.. It's not like it will be ready to go the second they are received. Israel will just wait until the shipment comes and hit it on the ground or where ever the install sites are prior to them going live.

[wehateporn]

This could get interesting/nasty

[Scott McD]

I knew everything was too quiet, after all the North Korea carry on...

[_Richard_]

guess the talks didn't go so well

[dyna mo]

there is no "shipment", there are no plans for a "shipment", there never was a plan to follow-through on a "shipment".

that's why israel can posture like that.

[wehateporn]

It will be easier if Russia shoots stuff down for Syria on a Pay-As-You-Go plan

[JFK]

Originally Posted by wehateporn

It will be easier if Russia shoots stuff down for Syria on a Pay-As-You-Go plan

[helterskelter808]

"Balance of power", Israel style:

A nuclear armed country with the fourth biggest army in the world, equipped with the most sophisticated weaponry in existence, backed by the most powerful superpower in history vs a country on the brink of collapse with no means of defense.

Who says Jews aren't the masters of comedy?

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by wehateporn

It will be easier if Russia shoots stuff down for Syria on a Pay-As-You-Go plan

Originally Posted by helterskelter808

"Balance of power", Israel style:

A nuclear armed country with the fourth biggest army in the world, equipped with the most sophisticated weaponry in existence, backed by the most powerful superpower in history vs a country on the brink of collapse with no means of defense.

Who says Jews aren't the masters of comedy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenaz

[crockett]

Originally Posted by helterskelter808

"Balance of power", Israel style:

A nuclear armed country with the fourth biggest army in the world, equipped with the most sophisticated weaponry in existence, backed by the most powerful superpower in history vs a country on the brink of collapse with no means of defense.

Who says Jews aren't the masters of comedy?

I think they mean that more along the lines of when Syria eventually fails, the weapons we be up for the taking, potentially falling into the hands of Hezbollah or some other random terrorist group.

Every way you look at it the middle east is a shit sandwich. TBH the world would be a better place if that whole part of the world just disappeared.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by crockett

I think they mean that more along the lines of when Syria eventually fails, the weapons we be up for the taking, potentially falling into the hands of Hezbollah or some other random terrorist group.

Every way you look at it the middle east is a shit sandwich. TBH the world would be a better place if that whole part of the world just disappeared.

Iran and Russia already have an arms treaty.. nothing would happen that hasn't happened already

[seeandsee]

that will end world if happens

[Captain Kawaii]

Will Israel also strike the Russian war ship(s) sitting off the Iranian coast?

[RebelR]

Did someone call Dennis Rodman to go in an negotiate peace? I hear he's good at that.

[_Richard_]

Obama has requested a No Fly Zone:

https://twitter.com/isnjh

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...zone-plan.html

[wehateporn]

What a bullying cheat, why not let Assad have a fair fight instead of tying his hands behind his back so as everyone can punch him

Originally Posted by _Richard_

Obama has requested a No Fly Zone:

https://twitter.com/isnjh

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...zone-plan.html

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by wehateporn

What a bullying cheat, why not let Assad have a fair fight instead of tying his hands behind his back so as everyone can punch him

the suggestion is this is a US move to get Israel to stop attacking

[ajrocks]

World war 3 here we come!

[crockett]

Originally Posted by RebelR

Did someone call Dennis Rodman to go in an negotiate peace? I hear he's good at that.

No It was John McCain to the rescue..


Here this guy tries to hang Obama over the Benghazi attacks and then turns around and sneaks into Syria to meet with the Rebels whom are linked to al Qaeda. I mean seriously he wants us to arm the Syria rebels and then what? Wait for them to turn into Taliban part deuce..

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Scott McD

I knew everything was too quiet, after all the North Korea carry on...

Fucking North Korea... They started talking loud and no one was really paying attention so they just shut up.

No one cares about NK. They can go fuck themselves.

[wehateporn]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

the suggestion is this is a US move to get Israel to stop attacking

Not even PR_Glen would believe that

[onwebcam]

Originally Posted by crockett

No It was John McCain to the rescue..


Here this guy tries to hang Obama over the Benghazi attacks and then turns around and sneaks into Syria to meet with the Rebels whom are linked to al Qaeda. I mean seriously he wants us to arm the Syria rebels and then what? Wait for them to turn into Taliban part deuce..

Obama has been arming the rebels from the start. Old geezer McCain wants American boots on the ground.

The claim that Obama didn't know about this is obsurd. All a part of the show. In fact I'm sure they were planning it at this meeting.

President Obama’s newest ally: John McCain
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...601.html?hp=f1

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by wehateporn

Not even PR_Glen would believe that

why do you always act like you know what the fuck is going on with everything on the planet more and better than anyone else on the planet?

[wehateporn]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

why do you always act like you know what the fuck is going on with everything on the planet more and better than anyone else on the planet?

If the propaganda gets too obvious and illogical then people see through it, it doesn't take a conspiracy theorist to work out the one _Richard_ mentioned

[Rochard]

Why isn't Russia taking care of this? This is spilling over into Turkey and Lebanon... It's only a matter of time before other countries get dragged into it.

[ottopottomouse]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Why isn't Russia taking care of this? This is spilling over into Turkey and Lebanon... It's only a matter of time before other countries get dragged into it.

Probably don't want a repeat of Afghanistan.

[dyna mo]

richard, where did you come up with this?

Originally Posted by _Richard_

the suggestion is this is a US move to get Israel to stop attacking

[Captain Kawaii]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Why isn't Russia taking care of this? This is spilling over into Turkey and Lebanon... It's only a matter of time before other countries get dragged into it.

Look at the top arms sellers in the world. War is more profitable than peace. No one at the top of any of those countries gives a rats ass about the troops involved or civilians killed.
Shit happens on the way to a Swiss Bank.

[Barry-xlovecam]

No -- just to destroy the weapons on the ground when they arrive.

According to an official report which was submitted to the American congress in 2004,[7] it may be that with a payload of 1,000 kg the Jericho III gives Israel nuclear strike capabilities within the entire Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and almost all parts of North America, as well as within large parts of South America and North Oceania.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho...29#Jericho_III

The Israelis have probably built at least 10 Jericho III's in 9 years since the report.


Neither Moscow or Israel is interested in committing suicide I hope.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

richard, where did you come up with this?

oh i didn't come up with it, i was arguing against it

however, that person went on to say 'it's funny that you have this country basically starting a war with russia, and nothing on the news, even though we have a mutual defense treaty'

same for Canada, alas.

Originally Posted by Captain Kawaii

Shit happens on the way to a Swiss Bank.

ahhh made me laugh

[pimpmaster9000]

russians can be payed to look the other way

this is what it is: a classic russian shakedown...

nothing israel or the USA can do about it but pay up...

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

russians can be payed to look the other way

this is what it is: a classic russian shakedown...

nothing israel or the USA can do about it but pay up...

so they'd pull outta both Syria and Iran if these countries 'paid up'

wonder what the price is

[helterskelter808]

^ I doubt it. Russia wants to sell weapons. I doubt they give a shit about Assad or his regime, but I'm pretty sure they don't want another American puppet to replace him.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

so they'd pull outta both Syria and Iran if these countries 'paid up'

wonder what the price is

oil contracts would be my guess..i mean since we are just speculating.
I guess that would be the price.

[wehateporn]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

russians can be payed to look the other way

this is what it is: a classic russian shakedown...

nothing israel or the USA can do about it but pay up...

Mother Russia knows that it's on the hitlist too, so it's not in their interest to sell out on their allies

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by helterskelter808

^ I doubt it. Russia wants to sell weapons. I doubt they give a shit about Assad or his regime, but I'm pretty sure they don't want another American puppet to replace him.

we have seen US arming rebels in russian controlled territory before

i think they care very much

Originally Posted by Phoenix

oil contracts would be my guess..i mean since we are just speculating.
I guess that would be the price.

Something way bigger than that i think..

[helterskelter808]

Care about what?

[_Richard_]

about assad and his regime

plenty examples of what happens to power vacuums..

[helterskelter808]

Oh yeah, I didn't mean they don't care if he falls, I just mean I don't think they have any particular affinity with Assad or his regime. So long as the Syrian Government is Russian-friendly they don't care who is in charge there.

But my main point was, they won't be bribed to 'pull out' of Syria and hand it over to America.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by helterskelter808

Oh yeah, I didn't mean they don't care if he falls, I just mean I don't think they have any particular affinity with Assad or his regime. So long as the Syrian Government is Russian-friendly they don't care who is in charge there.

But my main point was, they won't be bribed to 'pull out' of Syria and hand it over to America.

ahh if that's the case i generally agree

however the c.op. has a unique view on the region.. think he's outta Serbia?