Russian Troops to Lebannon, but not under UN?

As if things couldn't get more complicated.

Anyone read Ezekiel 38 and 39??

Actually it looks like just an engineering battalion to help rebuild bridges, but still I am sure Isreal just loves the idea of Russian Troops on the border.

www.breitbart.com...\\

[edit on 23-9-2006 by Sr Wing Commander]

Russia signed a military deal with Syria to install a military port there... kind to protect them...

Originally posted by Sr Wing Commander


Actually it looks like just an engineering battalion to help rebuild bridges, but still I am sure Isreal just loves the idea of Russian Troops on the border.

I think its doesn't really matter what Israel thinks of a Russian deployment; after all they are directly responsible for destroying the sovereign country of Lebanon. Besides, those Russian troops would never act violently against Israeli forces, it's in no way in Russia's interest.

Russia doesnt want any of Israel.

The russians have ties to teh syrians, back from the soviet days. I'm not sure exactly how it started, since assad's party is baathist, which is nationalist, not communist. MIght've been a marriage of conviencence. I suppose its also possible that ties started even before that, perhaps they reached out to the syrians back when the turks were running the show, to counterbalance the turks.

I think the Israelis will be a lot more hesitant to bomb the Lebanese again if it means starting a fight with Russia. If the Israelis start bombing Russians, it's a safe bet they will learn to regret it. Hopefully the Russian presence will also keep the Syrians from doing anything stupid - they don't want to jeapordize the relationship.

Russia has been playing in the Middle East sandbox as soon as US arrived there in the Cold War. Whoever US supported- Russia supported the opposing faction or government (no matter if it was communist or not). For a long time Russia supported and partnered with Egypt- untill Egypt developed better relations with the US. As soon as Syria declared itself anti-Israel, and as soon as US started helping Israel Russia in fact started helping Syria. I know a Russian army engineer, who was covertly working in Syria during one of its wars with Israel. There were reportedly thousands of Russian military personel both in Syria and Egypt at that time. Those were Cold War games, and the only reason Russia is helping Lebanon right now, is because Putin saw it vital for Russia to develop "better ties with the Muslim world".

And ofcourse there is a new military port being build in Syria for the future Russian Mediterranean fleet- or so I hear. The possible location for this is in Tartus, Syria, which is in close proximity to Lebanon, and which already has alot of Russian presence in the area.


What most people don't know, is that it was Russia that supported and helped Israel in the first years of its existance (before US and France arrived on the scene). Back then Stalin liked the idea of getting rid of Russian Jews by sending them to the Middle East. At the same time, he expected this diaspora of Russian Jews to have close ties with the Soviet Union, and thus make Israel a puppet state. Several years later however he realised that this idea is not working, and Israel is leaning away from Soviet Union, and thus the ties were severed,

Russia knows that NATO signed a secret agreement with Israel last year to support Israel in any compain. So much for the UN (once again) being neutral. Russia will support Iran/Syria and they are already arming up Iran with the latest technology. Iran is merely growing stronger each and every day - they are buying time.

Russia may also invade nearby Georgia btw, due to sanctions and other matters. Russia will not accept any WTO, or UN deals. They are going the route of something new in economics, which resembles how America did their banking over 100 years ago.

Why would Russia care about about any NATO agreement to protect Israel. Russia is not anti-Israel today, and has no reason to get involved in any Israeli conflict at all. Could it just be that Russia wants to help Lebanon, and not to destroy Israel. And UN does not equal NATO as far as I know. There is very little going on in terms of Russia arming Syria, and Iran is very much capable of producing their own military technology now. Russia has a very limited role in the Arab-Israeli conflict today.

Originally posted by maloy
Why would Russia care about about any NATO agreement to protect Israel. Russia is not anti-Israel today, and has no reason to get involved in any Israeli conflict at all. Could it just be that Russia wants to help Lebanon, and not to destroy Israel. And UN does not equal NATO as far as I know. There is very little going on in terms of Russia arming Syria, and Iran is very much capable of producing their own military technology now. Russia has a very limited role in the Arab-Israeli conflict today.

Hi there,

Russia is not caring about protecting Israel and they have no interest in destroying Israel either. They only care about protecting their own interests. But they have just told the US "to go take a hike" over the latest WTO talks and this is very economic-based. The UN is supposed to be impartial but I think Russia knows better than to trust the US and NATO, or UN to be fufilling the impartial peacekeeping role.

Russia's role in the Middle-East is much larger than you may understand at the present moment and they have no intention of allowing their multi-billion dollar deal with Iran over their oil, to be hijacked by the US and her allies. Russia is a massive Gold buyer and producer and she will soon have have the world's strongest currency. Russia has been through tough time before, and they are not going to play nice with the US. Iran just aquired Russia's latest SAM technology (the name eludes me at the present moment) but these AA are going to make things difficult for an air invasion. Simply put, Russia is now doing what they are supposed to be doing in good economic practice and also in ensuring that the oil is protected. But this is only a small piece of the issue. See here also: www.abovetopsecret.com...

[edit on 1-10-2006 by Cinosamitna]

Russia is a poor country who would have trouble projecting power beyond its own borders. Other than its Nuke capability, it is a 3rd world country. Israel has ICBM's too and Russia would want no part of Israel believe me.

Originally posted by princeofpeace
Russia is a poor country who would have trouble projecting power beyond its own borders. Other than its Nuke capability, it is a 3rd world country. Israel has ICBM's too and Russia would want no part of Israel believe me.

3rd world country? I am certain that you have never been in Russia (in the last 5 years), and especially not in Moscow. Its GDP is growing faster than any other country in Europe. Being the largest net exporter of energy in the world now, I can assure you that the last thing Russia is today is poor. Certainly some regions aren't well developed, but in another decade it could very well overtake Germany as the largest economy in Europe. I know that bashing on Russia is the latest trend these days (more likely to take attention away from the waning power of the US), but nearly anyone who is of such opinion knows very little in reality.

Russia never had any trouble projecting its power anywhere. Just because they don't start illegal wars like the US and Israel, does not mean they are not capable of it. Israel is a speck compared to Russia. They got a few nukes hooked up to cruise missiles on their submarines, which can at best reach no further than Middle East. Russia has the most advanced ICBMs in the world.

Also, Russia was never really an enemy of Israel, even during the numerous wars there, where the Arabs used Russian weapons.

Look the 3rd world analogy was just that...an analogy. Obviousdly they arent a 3rd world country but their economy isnt half as bright as the picture you paint. Russia has the latest ICBMs and ultimately thats all they really need, but they also have ports of rotting naval-fare, planes they cvannot afford to fuel and an army that has very low moral and to be honest isnt even really batte tested anymore. Yes the Russina Bear may be only sleeping, but it certainly is not awake yet.

Russian economy has a bright future, and is certainly growing and developing better than US economy. Otherwise hundreds of Japanese and European corporations would not have invested heavily in Russia- opening new auto factories, high-tech design bereaus, hiring engineering contractors. The Russia you are thinking of- is the 90's Russia. Under Putin things changed very dramatically very fast. The standard of living is improving annually as well.


And if you measure the country's development level by there military spending- here is a wake up call. US has by far the largest military budget in the world. Yet it still has unproportionately large amount of enemies, unsolved conflicts, a declining economy, and a declining dollar value. Russia is not as interested in the military today, as they are in making money- lots of money on energy and other exports. The budget grew by an enormous margin. And most of that budget is being pumped into improving infrastructure and economy- inviting more foreign investments as well. US is wasting money away on its wars- the benefit of which is yet to be seen.

In the 90's all military development has stopped, with a primary focus on economy. But I assure you- now that the economy is back on track, military spending will start rising again. Putin already has major plans for Russian military. In the recent few years production started again. There is at least 2 new submarines being constructed- and in the future decade an entire new fleet is planned for Russia's new military port in Syria. 5th generation jet fighter is being developed to rival and possibly exceed the F-22. Tank design is moving forward, as is other land based systems.

Did you ever consider that it is in Russia's interests to make it seem like its navy and land forces are crumbling? I am certain there is alot of development and production going on under the curtain. And while US flashes its new war toys all over the place, Russia keeps theirs secret. And of course a large part of the North fleet, especially Cold-War era submarines are let to decay- because there is no longer a need for them. Cold War is over. You are not gonna win over terrorism with you B-2 bombers and nuclear subs. New enemies call for new strategies.

The Russian economy is growing and developing better than the US economy? Okay, roll up one of those joints and pass it over here because i want some of whatever you are smoking.

By the way Putin isnt seeking a 3rd term. =)

I said GROWING- As in GDP annual growth (percentage of net), which was well higher than that of the US. US economy, is growing at a minimal rate- compared on a world stage. Estimates are that with this growth (projected to be even higher in next few years), Russia will catch up with Germany. I did not say Russian economy is bigger or better than that of US- it isn't.

And no, Putin is not seeking a third term consecutive, but you can be assured that the successor will be from Putin's party "United Russia", due to its high popularity for what else- the growth of the economy. However nowhere does the Russian constitution mention that he cannot seek a third term later on- only that it cannot be consecutive.

And if you are of an adverse opinion of Putin- please let us know why, because the vast majority of people outside Russia who oppose Putin know very little truth about his presidency exept for what their media tells them. And we all know how impartial Western media is...

[edit on 2-10-2006 by maloy]

Maloy is right. The Russian economy is growing at an annual rate of 6.5%, which is higher than the US rate. In addition, the US rate cannot be taken too serious as it is a manipulated figure, which also applies for its inflation and unemployment rate.

The adjusted, or actual rate for Russia is said to be higher than 6.5%. Think more in the area of 7-8%. Also the federal budget growth is over 9% from what I heard (Moscow's budget alone grows by about 10%).

The adjusted, or actual rate for Russia is said to be higher than 6.5%. Think more in the area of 7-8%. Also the federal budget growth is over 9% from what I heard (Moscow's budget alone grows by about 10%).

The adjusted, or actual rate for Russia is said to be higher than 6.5%. Think more in the area of 7-8%. Also the federal budget growth is over 9% from what I heard (Moscow's budget alone grows by about 10%).