Anyone else notice we have a new proxy war with Russia?

[De Selby]

Are there actual Russian crew at the launch sites?

I believe that's Russia's plan, even if they are only advisors - they're asserting influence over Syria at the moment.

[SADShooter]

My understanding is there is an installation window of 3+ months, correct? Russian tech advisors will certainly have to supervise construction/calibration and training of Syrian crews.

[just Warren]

And maintenance. You cannot expect to just let the Syrians try to keep the things in working order. I don't know what the qualification time is for technicians for something like this but it's likely longer than the install time. That's if the Russians even let them inside the critical bits.

[MicroBalrog]

I imagine they're getting a third-rate export version.

[De Selby]

I imagine they're getting a third-rate export version.

Probably - the point is to declare Syria to be Russia's ballpark, and to deny it to Israel/US.  It's a diplomatic signal that the Russians won't tolerate Israeli hands in Syria. 

[MicroBalrog]

It turns out it had not actually happened.

[MicroBalrog]

http://en.ria.ru/world/20130530/181422107.html

[MicroBalrog]

Proxy war with Russia appears to be postponed.

[agricola]

Probably - the point is to declare Syria to be Russia's ballpark, and to deny it to Israel/US.  It's a diplomatic signal that the Russians won't tolerate Israeli hands in Syria.  

Perhaps, though I think its as much about not abandoning allies / friends as it is trying to prevent regime change, or rather prevent a cack-handled attempt at regime change that does nothing apart from kill a load of innocent people, destabilize the country for at least a generation and further strengthen the Salafis and their valiant attempt to wind the clock back fourteen hundred years.  

Also how mad is it that the Russians have a saner foriegn policy than the UK, US and France?  That hasnt happened in ages.

[MicroBalrog]

Perhaps, though I think its as much about not abandoning allies / friends as it is trying to prevent regime change, or rather prevent a cack-handled attempt at regime change that does nothing apart from kill a load of innocent people, destabilize the country for at least a generation and further strengthen the Salafis and their valiant attempt to wind the clock back fourteen hundred years.  

Says who?

And they're not doing it. S-300 has not been shipped. IT turned out to have been a lie by the murderous Assad regime. :D

[De Selby]

Says who?

And they're not doing it. S-300 has not been shipped. IT turned out to have been a lie by the murderous Assad regime. :D

The Russian government aired the story for diplomatic purposes, that much is clear - that fact is more relevant than the delivery or not of the system.  It's Russia's way of signalling that they won't tolerate intervention to destroy the Syrian regime.

[roo_ster]

The Russian government aired the story for diplomatic purposes, that much is clear - that fact is more relevant than the delivery or not of the system.  It's Russia's way of signalling that they won't tolerate intervention to destroy the Syrian regime.

In what way is Russia in any position to "not tolerate" any thing that might happen in Syria?  They are reduced to fantasies about SAMs, for the love of Pete. 

[MicroBalrog]

The Russian government aired the story for diplomatic purposes, that much is clear - that fact is more relevant than the delivery or not of the system.  It's Russia's way of signalling that they won't tolerate intervention to destroy the Syrian regime.

They never 'aired the story'. IT was the Syrians that did.

Not even Russia is mad enough to support the Syrian regime.

[makattak]

They never 'aired the story'. IT was the Syrians that did.

Not even Russia is mad enough to support the Syrian regime OPENLY.

FTFY

[Sergeant Bob]

FTFY

Nailed it!