Russia deploys tanks to Syrian airbase amid tension with US
Significant Middle East military foothold supplied using air space over Iran and Iraq


Russia has positioned tanks at a Syrian airfield where it has been steadily building up defenses, two US officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. One of the officials said seven Russian T-90 tanks were seen at the airfield near Latakia, a stronghold of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The two US officials said Russia had also positioned artillery there. Russia is using an air corridor over Iraq and Iran to fly military equipment and personnel to the new airbase in Syria, openly defying US efforts to block the shipments and significantly increasing tensions with Washington. US officials disclosed on Sunday that at least seven giant Russian Condor transport planes had taken off from a base in southern Russia during the past week to ferry equipment to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Their destination was an airfield south of Latakia, which could become the most significant new Russian military foothold in the Middle East in decades, US officials said. The Obama administration initially hoped it had hampered the Russian effort to move military equipment and personnel into Syria when Bulgaria, a Nato member, announced it would close its airspace to the flights. But Russia quickly began channeling its flights over Iraq and Iran, which Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on Sunday would continue despite objections from Washington. “There were military supplies, they are ongoing, and they will continue,” Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. “They are inevitably accompanied by Russian specialists, who help to adjust the equipment, to train Syrian personnel how to use this weaponry.” Friction point Moscow’s military buildup in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting Mr Assad in a 4½-year civil war, adds a new friction point in its relations with the US. The actions also lay bare another major policy challenge for the US: how to encourage Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi, who came to power with the blessing of the US, to block the Russian flights.According to US intelligence, about 200 Russian marines and six Russian howitzers now guard the airbase south of Latakia. More prefabricated buildings have been delivered, increasing the housing capacity to 1,500 people. Dozens of Russian vehicles have been observed at the base.
US intelligence has not yet detected Russian fighter jets. However, some US officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup. The Russian move positions it to have major influence in Syria’s future and draws attention away from Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. – (Reuters/New York Times)


citation
"Irishtimes." 14 Sep. 2015. Irish Times 14 Sep. 2015. <http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/russia-deploys-tanks-to-syrian-airbase-amid-tension-with-us-1.2351247>
This article provides the recent events of Russian military supplies to Syria and the efforts of the U.S trying to hamper Russia's progress. Recently, Russia is using Iraqi and Iranian airspace to transport their military towards Syria. Although, America has stop Russia using Bulgarian Airspace to increase their military, Russia has been a steady increase of military personal in Syria by using a different air path. So far the Russia has sent seven Condor transport planes during the past week to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace. As a result, the transport of military equipment and personnel into Syria has stirred up tensions between the U.S. and Russia. At the end of this article there is a few paragraphs that explains how Russia's support of Assad, Syria's president, has added to U.S concern since the U.S is against Assad and the friction points of the situation. After reading this article I personally felt that Russia's recent behavior may result in serious consequences due to the U.S' efforts to stop them. I also believe this article shows a lot of concern and I agree to most of it. I also felt like the this news website was more into the western side/ U.S side since it writes more bias towards the U.S. In addition to my agreement with his article, the article also states that the build-up in Syria has drawn Russia away from Ukraine. Overall I believe this article would attract people who are concerned with American and Russian tension. Also after reading this article I hope there isn’t another Cuban missile crisis is in order and hope that these leaders would be more rational.