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Russia Sends Three Warships To Syria Carrying Hundreds Of Marines
There have been various rumors floating around over the past 2 weeks that Russia would do everything in its power to establish its foothold in Syria once and for all, with the local regime closer to the edge with every passing day. There have also been rumors, however silly, that Russia is willing to give up its naval basis in the Syrian port city of Tartus, since denied. Today, we finally get the full story, courtesy of the BBC, which is that that "three large Russian landing ships carrying hundreds of marines will soon visit the port of Tartus in war-torn Syria, the Russian military says." And who can blame them: this is only logical following the surge buildup of US naval assets in the region as we reported last week and the recently 'leaked' 'secret' data that Obama was actively supporting Syrian rebels. End result: WTI soaring, and well over $90 at last check.
From BBC:
The ships, each with up to 120 marines on board, will spend a few days in the port, the general staff source said. They will take on fresh supplies of food and water. Russia has a small naval maintenance facility at Tartus.
It is not clear whether some marines will stay in Tartus. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The source did not give details of their military equipment - a sensitive issue, because Mr Assad relies on Russian military hardware for his armed forces.
Russian officials have dismissed speculation that their military could intervene in the conflict to bolster Mr Assad's regime.
Heavy fighting is raging in the city of Aleppo, where Syrian government forces are trying to oust Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels.
The three Russian amphibious assault ships are in the Mediterranean now. After calling in at Tartus they will head for the Bosphorus and the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, the unnamed source told reporters on Friday.
The ships, part of Russia's Northern Fleet, are the Alexander Otrakovsky, the Georgy Pobedonosets and the Kondopoga.
The source, quoted by Interfax news agency, said one would anchor off Tartus and the other two would use a floating dock, because the port facilities were limited.
There is speculation that Russia may begin evacuating its nationals from Syria and deploy marines to protect personnel and equipment, as the violence intensifies.
As a reminder from last week:
Some may be surprised that this particular US naval action has a reaction. Others aren't.
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I've been arguing this for the last two months. The Executive Orderer in Chief needs a war to guarantee his reelection.
...and Dictatorship!
"The ships, each with up to 120 marines on board, will spend a few days in the port, the general staff source said. They will take on fresh supplies of food and water. Russia has a small naval maintenance facility at Tartus."
Warships? Sounds more like an R&R excursion.
Looks like they're getting ready to evacuate the Russian Embassy in Syria.
Really a few hundred Russian Marines vs 4 US Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups - not a fair match.
I mean we could outsource this one to BlackWater - still has a huge presence in Iraq, they do share a border.
Putin wants no piece of this.
Seriously, a couple hundred guys isn't enough to do anything.
It's a tripwire.
Then what is he going to do once the tripwire is triggered? Attack Blackwater's headquarters?
Didn't the Ruskies have "advisers" in Libya, Iraq, and Vietnam while we were bombing them?
Russia may begin evacuating its nationals from Syria and deploy marines to protect personnel and equipment, as the violence intensifies...
This is all it is.
lets be frank, what can you do with 360 men? OK that's a lot of sperm to harvist while reading appropriate magazines but it sure an't enough to battle a war? You only have to look at the Iraq and Afghanistan troop numbers to see this isn't going to cut the mustard.
Is is possible the Russian ships are going to evacuate the Assad family and other senior members of the regime?
Putin was in London yesterday visiting David Cameron.
Before any evacuation, the Russians should copy the US tactic and get a 99-year lease for their naval base from the Assad government.
That way, no matter what government controls Syria ...
Let's see - how many MIRVed Russian ICBMs are still operational? Oh - wait - mutually assured destruction will keep anything bad from happening. Right? Hello? Anyone?
360 marines? Surely that is just enough to protect their dismantling and withdrawal operation. I cannot see how 360 ruskies can improve on what the Syrian Army is doing.
It's clear the rebels are well organised, have logistical support/supply lines and the battles are now much more than low-level guerrillas trying to establish some sort of political recognition. To my mind its a mercenary army along the lines of Academi - formerly XE, formerly Blackwater. With numbers like they produced in Iraq - 100,000+.
On this basis, I believe Russia would rather shop around for another naval base (poor Greece? or Cyprus), than get involve in what has the potential to become another Russian/Afghan campaign.
To clarify: this is Russia signaling its intent that it will abandon Syria, the UN negotiator has quit, therefore check-mate, another domino falling to the western sphere of influence.
someone explain to me the reason that US/Israel wants a secular, stable leader like Assad out of power? even M Ghadaffi was playing ball(even though he was sitting on a load of oil and gold)
Israel - more access to water
US - on to Iran and Mideast petrodollar hegemony
uproot Russian naval base
maintain vassal Saudi oil dominance and thwart Chinese access to oil (as done in Libya)
note: the seldom mentioned, but the major reason for limitations on availability of oil is US devastation of Iraq and embargo/blockade of Iran.
thanks-see that US's bitch Saudi Arabia is stirring up this shit-they'll get theirs eventually
someone explain to me the reason that US/Israel wants a secular, stable leader like Assad out of power? even M Ghadaffi was playing ball(even though he was sitting on a load of oil and gold)
Israel doesn't bro, like I have posted here 10x's before,the reason for this is to put the Muslim Brotherhood (Radical Islamists in Power).Democracy MY ASS.
Doing a damn fine job thus far.
The Kenyan is pleased................................................
From Audacity of Hope:
"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
The 'Kenyan', no matter where he was born, is a your typical 'American' president.
He has worked to further the 'American' best interests.
Secular governments do not matter. 'Americans' have no issue at favouring dictatures as long as it favours their 'American' agenda.
From US presidency, Obama:
"I will stand with the Americans no matter what."
BORING!
From US presidency, Obama:
"I will stand with the Americans no matter what."
From Audacity of Hope:
"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."( In his own words).
When it's in print,tough to say I didn't say it, when YOU wrote it.
His agenda FROM day one, and the only promise he made that he's kept...................
"I will fundamentally change America", I have been around a LONG time and never have I seen a more anti American leader.
I have been around a LONG time and never have I seen a more anti American leader.
_______________________
A negro can hardly be pro 'American' That is the only answer possible.
Obama is your typical 'American' president. He is no different from Bush.
The only way Obama can be sold as supportive of the Muslims is that one US citizen can always claim Obama does not do enough to kill muslims.
"even though he was sitting on a load of oil and gold"
Answered your own question.
Golds and oils now belong to bankrupting EU and GLADIO deep state.
I doubt that a few hundred Russian marines are there for a deterrent. More than likely they are there to provide evacution of personel and to secure any provisions they might deem valuable.
Nothing is official until it is denied:
Russia’s Defense Ministry denied on Friday that it plans to send naval vessels to the Syrian port of Tartus, the state-owned RIA news agency said, as Moscow called for Kofi Annan to be urgently replaced as envoy for Syria.
It dismissed reports, attributed by Russian news agencies to a source in the general staff, that Moscow was sending three large landing ships with marines aboard, according to Reuters.
...Syria is Moscow’s firmest foothold in the Middle East and bought $1 billion worth of weapons from Russia last year, or about 8 percent of total Russian arms exports.
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/03/230168.html
Long Potassium Iodide (KI)
Listen to Putin regarding Syria here:
http://brothernathanaelfoundation.org/news/119-brother-nathanael
The Russians are supporting the gestating state of Latakia or Alawistan, a country of about 5-6 million which will be formed out of the Mediterranean provinces of Syria, the Alawi homeland. There the Christians, Alawis, Druze and Shia can flee the Sunni majority who will be fighting over the remains of Syria. The Kurds will add Kurdish Syria to the prosperous growing state of Kurdistan backed up by the Peshmerga, the second best fighting force in the Middle East.
The Russian's Mediterranean port of Tartus will be secure in Alawistan.
Most interesting theory about this thing I've read in a long time. Certainly makes sense for Russia's national security interests. But how long would Israel stay quiet about a new Sunni neighbor?
The expect the Israelis will be content to see the Sunni power-blocks and factions fighting over the war torn remains of Syria. They will be happy to see Kurdish Syria and Syrian Kurds fall under the umbrella of Kurdistan. The new nation of Alawistan, under Assad, will be more problematic as it will be supported by both Russia and Iran. Iran needs Alawistan to keep it's interests alive in Lebanon, in the Mediterranean, to keep pressure on Israel and to provide support for Hesbollah and other troublemakers.
There is also the problem of WMDs. If the WMDs stayed under the control of Assad in Alawistan many world powers would be content.
Funny how every time Brent dips, I'm-A-Dinner-Jacket makes some wild threat, accusation, etc. And the press and pols lap it up.
This is what I see happening. There are two loose alliances at play in Southwest Asia. On the red team, we have Russia, China, Iran, Syria, maybe Pakistan. On the blue team, we have the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, the small Gulf states, and Turkey (though Turkey is much more of an independent actor at this point). The red team members share economic interests-- Russia likes high oil prices, so its pal Iran making noise, fooling around with nukes (reactors built with Russian technical assistance), and keeping those prices up are jim dandy for the bear. The Chinese want oil, whereever it comes from, and it likes to stick up for put-upon dictatorships at the U.N. Security Council, waving the flag marked "no intereference in internal affairs." The Pakistanis are closely allied with China geo-politically. Syria is the red team's rep in the Levant-- a secular Baathist (Leninist-style) dictatorship, going back to the Nasser United Arab Republic days. Red teamers are supporting a loyal member of their group. The blue team does not like Assad's Syria. Israel's deadly enemy Hezbollah is Syria-supported. The Saudis and Gulf guys don't like Baathists, they got rid of Saddam indirectly, and getting rid of Assad would suit them just fine. The U.S. is going along with the wishes of their blue team pals.
But here is the thing-- this Syria deal has the oddest bedfellows imaginable. "We've" gone from fighting Eurasia to fighting Eastasia. Short-term strategy is trumping over long-term strategy. Craziness.
He're my 2 cents for improvement in the Middle East mess:
(1) Don't get sucked into Iran's B.S. If they want to play the Mutual Assured Destruction game, so be it. $400 oil would destroy the Western World's economy. Why make it happen? Containment is the answer. The blue team has plenty of detterent power at its disposal, without needing to launch another land war.
(2) Israel should think seriously about how to improve its security situation right next door, versus "way over there". A land war in Iran is a pie-in-the-sky idea that would end up posing grave risks to Israel's security. The Israelis are in the mental trap that the Japanese laid for themselves in the late '30s--- 'we have to strike before it's too late.' I'd be more worried about the issues of water supply, demographics, and trying to maintain control over a border that looks like a random walk graph. Let Iran blow smoke and rattle sabers, the best thing to do is to ignore them, that pisses them off the most. If only oil traders would ignore them!
(3) This Syria thing will have no winners, red team or blue team. The big boys should act accordingly. Maybe a Turkish U.N. mandate over the place, a competent neutral country calming things down and ending the madness.
As we are all chimps itching to hit the other guy with our cool toys, these ideas have zero chance of being implemented. We're on a rocket sled to hell at this point.
the Chinese "stick up for-put upon dictatorships at UN Secuirity Council"?so now they are sticking up for USA?
Your "analysis" reeks of false excuses and apologies.
The U.S. is going along with the wishes of their blue team pals.
Really? Just going along??
Don't get sucked into Iran's B.S. ... Containment is the answer.
Iran's B.S. ?? No US/Israeli B.S. implied in your recommendation??
Washington seems to be in the habit of doing what the Saudis want. And yes, Iran is full of B.S. Why take the bait? Ignore them. Just ignore them. If the Soviet Union was "Upper Volta with nukes," Iran would be "Dijibouti with nukes".
This Syria thing will have no winners, red team or blue team. The big boys should act accordingly. Maybe a Turkish U.N. mandate over the place, a competent neutral country calming things down and ending the madness.
I disagree, it will take out a Dictator, and install a 100% radical Islamic State,if Israel thinks Syria is a threat, they will really have one once the Brothehood takes over.
This is what its about, just like Libia.
So, the REAL question here is why are we helping radical Islam spread?.
Israel acts like they fear the Brotherhood, when they are actually doing everything they can to make Assad's overthrow happen. If Israel can help its "mortal enemy" take over every throne in the ME, then they will have the moral authority to cry "danger" and nuke every Muslim and Christian off the face of the ME map. Then they can have it all! Don't think they're that ambitious?
Check out the term "ersatz Israel".
I have often wondered whether Dinner Jacket is a deep Zionist Agent...
Like Viator's post says above - the idea that Assad could let most of Syria go back to its majority Sunni population, and the Kurdish section of Syria could go independent and ally with Iraq's Kurds, as Assad has already taken steps to implement ...
While Assad and his small group of Alawite co-believers and the Shia Muslim minority, could retain that rump state along the coast, a lot of which is Shia right now ... and adjacent to significantly-Shia Lebanon
And this new small nation would all very conveniently be around the Russian military base there on the Syrian coast. The Russians did something similar with the war the Caucasus country of Georgia, dividing it up, they could maybe do it in Syria too.
Would like to see the Russians carve out a strategic victory, and prevent the usual bastards from getting their way in this dirty murderous game
slewie knew!
Libya Definitely Affected and Continues Influencing Russia’s Position on Syrian Conflict, Russian PM Says Last year’s military intervention of Libya by NATO forces plays a large role in determining Russia’s current stance on Syria, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev told British a British newspaper in an interview. He said what happened with Libya has definitely affected his position and continues influencing Russia’s position on the Syrian conflict. <: {endPaste]WTI probably has more to do with the approach of TS (soon to be Hurricane) Ernesto.
WTI price has no correlation to ANYTHING
it's just a confirmation of east-west balance of power. But Russia has her eyes on Israel's [natural gas?].
are you a Mossad agent posting misdirection? Russia missed out on 100 years of "capitalism" so they are pretty much blessed w/ an abundance of natural resources.
ok, ok...
but Russia has her eyes on Israel's [natural g] as*.
there fixed it for you.
You mean the Palestinians' natural gas.
I think you are right. Russia clearly has an interest in stymying Western efforts to influence the Middle East. But there is something more to their exploits in Syria. They are long-standing allies, yes, but one might think that Syria is a less important ally now to Russia than it was during the Cold War.
So why is Russia willing to go to such great ends to defend, and possibly as you say extricate from Syria the Assads? My guess is that the Assads know all the secrets of Russian middle east foreign policy.
There are [at least] 2 other possibilities:
1. Russia is in on the NWO agenda and is just helping to keep up the diversion...er, warmongering chit-chat...until later in the year (say, mid-October); or,
2. Some Russian power brokers have got wind that there are few/no seats for them at the NWO top table and are therefore upping the ante to gain more seats après le déluge.
Yes....with all intellectual honesty, it is virtually impossible for us to know Russia's true intentions and alliances without having access to a wiretap of his office. I'd like to say I have figured it out, but I can't.
get long bitchez...crude magic line at 90.95
Bullish news! When the fit hits the shan, Knight's newly revamped algo will be put on permanent buy and we will all go to Disneyland together. Whoopee!
"Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards every one…"
And still the war drums sound -- Iraq…Afghanistan…Iran…Syria… The American Empire it must now be admitted is a world war machine, fueled by the banker empire builders and the pro-Israel Zionists who use the U.S. Treasury and the American middle class to attack the enemies of Israel. On Syria, here’s Paul Craig Roberts.
War Criminals in Our Midst: Neocon Architects of Armageddon | Paul Craig Roberts | 08/02/2012
Excerpts:
The State Department has an office that hunts German war criminals. Bureaucracies being what they are, the office will exist into next century when any surviving German prison guards will be 200 years old. From time to time the State Department claims to have found a lowly German soldier who was assigned as a prison camp guard. The ancient personage, who had lived in the US for the past 50 or 60 years without doing harm to anyone, is then merciless persecuted, usually on the basis of hearsay. I have never understood what the State Department thinks the alleged prison guard was supposed to have done–freed the prisoners, resign his position?–when Prussian aristocrats, high-ranking German Army generals and Field Marshall and national hero Erwin Rommel were murdered for trying to overthrow Hitler.
What the State Department needs is an office that rounds up American war criminals….
You can learn the identity of many of those who are driving the world into World War Three, while their policies result in the murder of large numbers of Arabs and Muslims in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, by perusing the signatures to the contrived letter to Obama from the neoconsevatives calling on Obama to invade Syria in order to “rescue” the Syrian people from their government.
According to the letter signed by 56 neoconservatives, only the Syrian government is responsible for deaths in Syria. The Washington sponsored and armed “rebels” are merely protecting the Syrian people from the Assad government. According to the letter signers, the only way the Syrian people can be saved is if Washington overthrows the Syrian government and installs a puppet state attentive to the needs of Israel and Washington. …
Among the 56 signatures are a few names from the Syrian National Congress, believed to be a CIA front, and a few names from dupes among the goyim. The rest of the signatures are those of Jewish neoconservatives tightly allied with Israel, some of whom are apparently dual-Israeli citizens who participate in the formation of US foreign policy. The names on this list comprise a concentration of evil, the goal of which is not only to bring armageddon to the Syrian people but also to the world. …
How do we evaluate the fact that 56 people have no shame whatsoever and will lie to the President of the United States, telling him to his face the most absurd and obvious false things in order to advance their personal agenda at the expense of not merely the lives of Syrians but, by leading to wider war, of life on earth?
This same neocon architects of armageddon are also working against Iran, Russia, the former Soviet central Asian countries, Ukraine, Belarus, and China. It seems that they can’t wait to start a nuclear war.
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/08/02/war-criminals-in-our-midst/
That is clear as glass. Israel would profit most from the fact that Syria implodes and is then not anymore existing as a regional power. Syria has influence in Lebanon. Syria cooperates with Iran which is financing Hezbollah.
But why is it important for Israel ? There are many reasons. One reason is, that Israel needs simply spoken a greater security zone at their Lebanese border. Israel tried to establish this in their last war with Lebannon a few years ago. Israel is vulnerable by short range rockets which can be provided by Russia in case Israel is overplaying its military role. There were plenty advisers and trainers from Israel prior to the attack on an ally of Russia in the Black Sea area (the war started by Georgia). I have read, that Russia gave a warning to Israel, if ever Israelic forces would again fight actively against Russias vital interest, then Russia would deliver short range rockets to Hezbollah in Lebananon.
Once Syria is eliminated as a regional power the Russian threat is toothless because, the end of Assad is starting most probably a horrible massacer for the religuos minorities in Syrya and Lebanon. These minorities are, Christians, Alewites and Shiite (Hezbollah), the Pa;estine refugeees which are still living in camps since 1948 are for sure also not enjoying a plesant time. The will be also eliminated or driven out of Lebanon.
In my opinion the planned result looks as follows: The Sunnis dominate the region financed by Quatar (English colony) and Saudi Arabia (American colony). And the Sunnis in Syria and Lebanon will do the dirty work for the US, UK and Israel. This dirty work is genocide this time again.
In adition, the off shore Goliath natural gas field lies in front of Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and in the north in front of Cyprus. Cyprus is a specil territory and is among other specialities home to a UK and a US base and home to plenty Russian oligarchs and mafiosi, many of them Jewish). The Goliath gas field is gigantic and is close the European market, to say in front of a giant market. The gas will find its way to Europe via Greece and Italy and would be an alternative to the gas deliveries from the Russians via North stream pipeline. This would mean Rusia has to lower its gas prices significantly if it does not want to loose its best costumers in Europe. But till now Goliath was blocked due to the political landscape around the field. This might now change. At least Israel is betting on it, because Israelic companies own already manypetrol pumps in Belgium and the Netherlands, they bought from Exxon and BP some years ago. Once Israel has acces to this gas field it will not take long till the gas reaches Belgium and the Netherlands via ships. The Terminals for such shipments do exist already in the Netherlands.
But what is most interesting is the fact, that Israel has in principle only a small coastline in front of the gas field. I think the Gaza strips coast is even longer, which means Israel has the least right on the gas field. Therefore it is necessary to have control and power over the coast of Lebananon and Syria too, Gaza anyhow. Then the soup is getting rich for Israel. That Israel thinks that it has the most rights and has the most backing (US and UK) becomes clear by the fact that the gas field bears a name which is from the ancient Jewish past "Goliath". This name is propagated in the media while it could also have a different name, lets say "Attaturck" field. However in my opinion the name is not a good choice. O.k. Goliath was a giant too but as we all know in the end he was killed by David.
I support the troops. I do not support the wars. Thank you for listening.
Unqualified support for the "troops" amounts to unqualified acceptance of "the wars" and militarism.
Do you support the troops no matter where they are sent, whatever they do?
Do you support the troops to "remain there", or only support their coming home?
Do you support arming the troops over all other economic and social considerations?
Do you support the troops by shielding criticism of their activities and objectives?
I always thought that that inane phrase of "Support the Troops" was just an insidious and Orwellian way of implicitly saying "Support the Wars". I will do neither!
Anyone who has willingly volunteered to be an agent of imperialism and aggressive war is an enemy of freedom, and does NOT deserve my support in any way.
I, too, support the troops, in that I respect someone who voluntarily takes on a job which could have a lethal ending. I pray for their safety and wellbeing. I daresay that Billy is a Ron Paul supporter and believes that our troops belong back home.
The pawn may vehemently object to being sacrificed in order to expose the opponent's queen, but has no power over the hand which directs its movements. You are focused on the chessboard and not the players.
Does anyone notice that we have too much hardware compressed in too small a space against too large a land mass that is too close to too many offensive weapons? This is half the Atlantic Carrier Fleet.
People yo are to tense!...loosen up - cause to become unblocked...
Watch this, and have fun...
{ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXcLVDhS8fM&feature=youtu.be }...
Saludos..
Posturing.
Russia dropped Syria and has already used them as a bargaining chip to become a full member of the WTO.
Just evac operations to avoid losing too much of sensitive material.
Posterior roadside posturing.
AnAnonymous dropped roadside turds and has already used them as a bargaining chip to become a full member of the Chinese Communist Sharty.
Just intestinal evac operations to avoid losing too much of sensitive material.
General: "But Comrade Secretary, how will we persuade the imperialists
to enter a trap that they can clearly see?"
Secretary: "People see what they want to see. We will show the
imperialists the reality that they prefer, and they
will believe it."
General: "And what do they want to believe, Comrade Secretary?"
Secretary: "That they can buy us."
Whay can't they wait till Obama gets reelected so he can give this coutries secrets to them before they attack?
Because Russia threw up a big middle finger to NWO, this is the game changer so-to-speak, the spoiler to their plans and they know it. I study Geo Political and am well abreast of this situation. N.Korea and China are ones to watch also.
In an ironic way, USA peoples may hope for Russian rescue when "O'Bama" unleashes his bloodlust on them.
His mentor, Ayers, wants 20-25 million dead.
The only question is does he start with YT, Jew, or Christian during his murder spree to Islamic Victory over USA?
Is best to hope Russians government is truly fighting NWO.
I think you are reading too much "prepper porn". The illegitimate federal government has NO CHANCE against the people in any sort of major conflict... and besides, the coming MASS ARRESTS will put a fork in the current administration and the pack of dirty-rat traitors forever... http://tinyurl.com/cd5cyjo/
Russians to stop the man known as "O'Bama" in Syria.
Another illegal war by illegal puppet "O'Bama".
Millions will die by Armed "O'Bama" Drone Attacks in USA.
30,000 drones is over 500/state, all armed with missiles and chain guns.
Running dog "O'Bama" will create rivers of blood in order to satisfy His Satanic Majesty.
Wake up, USA persons, or die like slaves!
Anyone who believes Assad is a mass-murdering despot, that's who.
So, the Russians are clearly allies of the Assad regime. Fucking Putin is as nuts as Assad...
I would ask all posters who wish to express views on the subject of war, the U.S. military, or the life of military personnel engaged in combat to state, up front and clearly, his or her own military and combat experience. I ask this of you for two reasons: (1) I am curious about the differences in points of view and would like to see how those differences play out between those who have served in combat and those who have not; and, (2) I would like to be able to determine what percentage of ZH posters, at least on these topics on this thread, have served in combat. Thanks.
Why? Do you work for O'Bama?
DHS?
CIA?
i already played this RISK game and kicked my brothers ass. i know how it ends.
jb
The CIA organized the taken-over Lybia with "freedon fighters". Who bagged Lybia's 144 tons of gold.
The CIA has organized the same operation in Syria. Syria supposedly has 26 tons of gold.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_reserve
Russia is helping Assad exit the country. They will make certain that the CIA does not bag Syria's gold.
Anybody looking for A Russian save of the Syrian govt is going to be disappointed, you can rely on the Russians to do nothing but profiteer off their misery, just like they did in Iraq, the Russians are in on the gig, on our payrol, ya they'll pay lip service to Syria and all their other "allies" but realistically they're on our payrol.