Russia snubbed its nose at the United States today by announcing plans to sell military equipment to both Iran and Venezuela.
The head of the state arms exporter said that Russia was negotiating to sell new anti-aircraft systems to Iran despite American objections.
“Contacts between our countries are continuing and we do not see any reason to suspend them,” Anatoly Isaikin, general director of Rosoboronexport, told Ria-Novosti at an arms fair in South Africa.
Reports have circulated for some time that Russia is preparing to sell its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran, offering greater protection against a possible US or Israeli attack on the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities. The missiles have a range of more than 150 kilometres and can intercept jets approaching at low altitudes.
Russia ratchets up US tensions with arms sales to Iran and Venezuela – Times Online.
—
In a previous post I mentioned that poking the bear might lead to bad and terrible things. Not in the abstract, but in the short-term. Obvious and right up front. What I postulated then was waging something aking to a “Krichcwal Walzin War” in Afghanistan, if you know what I mean.
Working with the new government in Pakistan to smuggle the “Freedom Fighters” in the mounains. I mentioned this was something we would rathre avoid, as 100 surface to air missiles is probably 20 or 30 downed helicopters, which freezes reconstruction and mobility across the country. It’s that perilous.
Which is why we need statesmen now, and not pitbulls.
BTW, the above deal (the real one, not the hypothetical Russian black op one) is more of a response to our efforts in Georgia…to do much the same kind of business…
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Wednesday a one-billion-dollar (690 million euro) aid package for Georgia after its conflict with Russia, of which 570 million dollars will be delivered before the end of the year.
“Today I am pleased to announce a major United States economic support package which will total at least one billion dollars to meet Georgia’s pressing humanitarian needs and to facilitate its economic reconstruction,” Rice told reporters, adding that the aid was for civilian purposes only.
“We envision a multi-year commitment which will begin now, under President (George W.) Bush, and we believe strongly it will endure in the next administration,” she said.
“Working closely with Congress, our administration plans to make available up to 570 million of this billion-dollar program in a first phase by the end of 2008.
Robot Pirate Ninja 