As first predicted here in the immediate aftermath of the shooting down of a Russian surveillance plane with the loss of 15 aircrew, Russia has decided to go ahead and improve Syria's air defences with the installation of an S-300 missile Surface-to-Air defence system.
As reported by Russia Today:
Within two weeks Russia will deliver to Damascus an S-300 air defense system, previously suspended on a request by Israel. It comes as part of [a] response to the downing of a Russian Il-20 plane amid an Israeli air raid on Syria.
Moscow accused Tel Aviv of failing to inform Russia about its impending attack on targets in Syria, which resulted in a downing of the Russian electronic warfare aircraft by Syrian return fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the defense ministry to take several measures in response to the incident, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Arguably, the most concerning thing for Israel will be the delivery to Syria of an S-300 anti-aircraft system, which will boost Syria’s capabilities to deny Israel access to its airspace. The system was purchased by Damascus several years ago, but never delivered.
The S-300 will be a real upgrade for Syrian defences and make it much harder for the Israeli Air Force to violate Syrian air space. The Israel AF has made literally hundreds of illegal sorties into Syria since the Syrian Civil War started in 2011.
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| Might be people from a state we are not officially at war with hiding in that kindergarten. |
Israel claims these attacks, which include aerial bombings and support for anti-government forces, are "justified" by the presence of Iranian troops invited into Syria by the country's legitimate government. This is an absurd reason to justify terrorist bombings of Syria, as Israel is not even officially at war with Iran so they have no legal or moral basis to bomb Iranians in the country, let alone Syrians.
While Iran's support for Hezbollah, the Shiite Militia organisation in Lebanon, may be seen as a legitimate concern for Israel, it is one that it should address through diplomatic channels. In this sense maintaining good relations with President Putin of Russia would be extremely beneficial.
Instead, by pursuing a gung-ho terroristic foreign policy, Israel has only succeeded in dangerously isolating itself and empowering its enemies. As we reported in May, Israel's aggressive stance towards Lebanon was a major factor in Hezabollah's election success.
By trying too hard to be pro-Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu has merely succeeded in becoming the most damaging leader for Israel, which has always depended upon the goodwill of the wider world and grudging respect from its neighbours.
