Russia Takes Syria while the US Watches

Gulf Arabs oppose Russia's military intervention in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying it will prolong the war and keep Syria firmly on the side of their arch rival, Iran. Russia confirms it is providing arms to al-Assad, a longtime ally, and has sent military to advise on their use against ISIS and other jihadist groups. Russia has also staged naval exercises off Syria. The United States, which opposes both ISIS and al-Assad, says Russia has sent fighter jets, tanks and heavy equipment to Syria. On Monday, US officials said Russia is now flying drone aircraft surveillance missions in Syria. Saudi Arabia and the other sunni Gulf states have not said how they intend to deal with the arrival of the Russian forces. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir described the Russian military moves as an "escalation" and stated at a recent meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar - that Syria can have no future while al-Assad remains in power. A GCC statement urged a political solution to the Syrian crisis "without any foreign intervention" - referring to Russia and Iran. While Saudi Arabia prefers a political solution, al-Jubeir said : "the military choice is still available, as the Syrian opposition is still fighting the regime with more efficiency with the passing of time." The Gulf states have said that they, like the US, won't let the Syrian rebels they fund engage Russian forces militarily. The Gulf Arabs continue to say that al-Assad cannot survive despite Russia's military support. But, Russia says the US-led air strikes on ISIS positions in Syria are unlikely to succeed and it has called for international dialogue with al-Assad. Syria is strategically critical to Russia because its naval base at Tartous is its sole installation in the Mediterranean and supports its regional influence. The Assad family has also historically been one of Russia's best clients for arms sales. ~~~~~ ABC News reports a significant increase in the Russian military presence in Syria --- Russia sent 24 more fighter aircraft last weekend to the Latakia airfield that US officials say is the center for Russian air operations in Syria. US officials say the arrival of Russian military equipment continues at the airfield located in an al-Assad stronghold, including 15 Mi-17 and Mi-24 attack helicopters, double the number at the base last week. The US also confirms there are 36 Russian armored personnel carriers, nine tanks and two air-defense missile systems at the Latakia airfield. Some are types of equipment needed to defend the new operations center. There are now an estimated 500 Russian military personnel at Latakia. But American officials are still "unclear" about Russian intentions. ~~~~~ Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Israel and Russia have agreed to coordinate military actions over Syria in order to avoid accidentally trading fire, Prime Minister Netanyahu said after a meeting with Russian President Putin in Moscow. Briefing Israeli reporters on Monday, Netanyahu said his goal was "preventing misunderstandings between Israeli units and Russian forces" in Syria. Netanyahu also said he had informed the Americans "on each and every detail" of his Moscow visit. A US official told Reuters that US-Israeli coordination allowed the sharing of classified technologies for identifying Russian aircraft over Syria : "We know how to spot them clearly and quickly." ~~~~~ Dear readers, the Gulf states are privately critical of President Obama for allowing Russia and Iran to carve out an al-Assad enclave that gives them Mediterranean access. Where is US Secretary of State John Kerry in this? This afternoon he said : "For the moment, it is the judgment of our military and experts that the level and type represents basically force protection." But, that is not the issue. Why is Russian military in Syria at all? It is just one more Obama/Kerry sellout to Iran. The US military understands. But, how long will Congress remain a silent toothless tiger? When will it oppose Obama?