This is not good news!
According to Unian News Agency, Russia is building a fresh water naval port in Syria.
Russia has started dredging at a Syrian port where it maintains a logistical supply point with a possible eye to turning it into a full-fledged naval base, a respected Russian business daily said Friday, according to the Russian Journal.[…]
The Defense Ministry source told Kommersant that a Russian naval base in the Mediterranean would not only help Moscow strengthen its position in the Middle East - where it is currently also involved in negotiations on the Iranian nuclear crisis and the Israel/Palestinian issue - but also ensure Syria’s security.
Moscow plans to deploy an S-300PMU-2 Favorit air-defense system to protect the base, the paper said, adding that the system will be operated by Russian servicemen and not be handed over to Syria.
At the same time, sources close to the matter said Moscow and Damascus had reached an agreement to modernize Syria’s antiaircraft system using medium-range S-125 missile complexes that were deployed in the 1980s.
It is not good for the US to have Russia in a power position in the Mid-East. It limits our ability to deal with Syria and Iran’s support for terrorist organizations. It limits our ability tro deal with Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the clean up of Syria and it puts pressure on Israel. It limits Israel’s ability to respond to Iran and it could place more pressure on Israel to be nuclear-free. It injects the Naval Power of Russia into the theater of US Naval Power, making it easier to make mistakes.
Richard Maybury of the Early Warning Report said in the May issue:
The Turkish army is building up its forces along the Iraqi border in preparation for an offensive asgainst the Kurds in Iraq and Iranians have begun shelling Kurds in Iraq.
The US has two choices according to Maybury:
If it withdraws, the resulting free-for-all among surrounding nations to capture the Iraqi oil will eventually blow up the whole Oil Corridor.
If Washington stays in,then the financial cost of the war to America will be crushing.
Both scenarios lead Maybury to the conclusion that we are looking at $300 and $9.00 gasoline.
A Russian naval base justs complicates the whole situation.
In the meantime, the Washington Post updates us on the diplomatic efforts with Iran.
Russia Syria Naval Base Mid_East Richard Maybury Mover Mike Iran
Chill, Dude.