US general lays out military options in Syria
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DefenceTalkThe top US general has informed Congress of options for military intervention in Syria, but stressed that the decision of whether to go to war was one for civilian leaders. In a non-classified letter made public Monday, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey set out five options — from nonlethal intelligence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-general-lays-out-military-options-in-syria-48560/
US military aid to rebels unlikely to tip balance in Syria
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DefenceTalkSome 27 months into the conflict raging in Syria and with over 90,000 dead, the United States has vowed for the first time to send military aid to the rebels battling to oust President Bashar al-Assad. But with the White House staying tight-lipped over what kind of weapons it might provide and lacking any public […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-military-aid-to-rebels-unlikely-to-tip-balance-in-syria-48118/
Iran nuclear push, flashpoints role has West in a bind
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DefenceTalkIran’s role in flashpoints like Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan is proving a headache for the West as it tries to normalise ties with Tehran without a trade-off on its contested nuclear drive. As the Islamic republic prepares for presidential elections on Friday to choose a successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose eight years in office […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-nuclear-push-flashpoints-role-has-west-in-a-bind-48098/
Exercise Eager Lion begins in Jordan
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DefenceTalkExercise Eager Lion kicked off in Jordan this week as U.S. service members began training with military forces from 19 nations. The multi-national exercise, which runs June 9-20, began with a press conference in which Maj. Gen. Robert Catalanotti, director of exercises and training for U.S. Central Command, explained how impressed he was with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/exercise-eager-lion-begins-in-jordan-48095/
Putin holds back on Syria missile delivery
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DefenceTalkRussian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow has held back on delivering sophisticated S-300 missiles to the Syrian regime, while UN investigators said they have “reasonable grounds” to believe both sides in the conflict have used chemical weapons. Putin, a key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Russia has so far refrained from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/putin-holds-back-on-syria-missile-delivery-48044/
Patriots, F-16s May Remain in Jordan After Eager Lion Exercise
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DefenceTalkThe United States could leave Patriot anti-missile batteries and F-16 fighter jets in Jordan following the end of Exercise Eager Lion, a Pentagon spokesman said here today. Jordan has requested the batteries, but Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has not yet reviewed it, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters. Hagel is returning from NATO meetings in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/patriots-f-16s-may-remain-in-jordan-after-eager-lion-exercise-48034/
US to send Patriot missiles, F-16s to Jordan for drill
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DefenceTalkThe United States will send a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighters to Jordan for a military drill and may keep the weapons there to counter the threat posed by Syria’s civil war, officials said Monday. The Patriot missile launchers and F-16 warplanes “were approved for deployment to Jordan as part of Exercise Eager Lion,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-send-patriot-missiles-f-16s-to-jordan-for-drill-48025/
EU embargo move boosts Russia plan to arm Syria
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DefenceTalkThe European Union’s decision to lift its arms embargo on the Syrian opposition has provided Russia with a new defence of its controversial weapons deliveries to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Russia reacted with fury to the EU’s decision Monday — advocated primarily by Britain and France — to lift its arms embargo on the rebels […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-embargo-move-boosts-russia-plan-to-arm-syria-47961/
Russian Missile Plan Chills Chances for Syrian No-Fly Zone
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DefenceTalkAnalysts say it will be more difficult for the United States or other Western powers to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria if Russia goes ahead with the sale of anti-aircraft missiles to its ally Damascus. Moscow said this week it plans to deliver the advanced S-300 air defense system to the embattled government of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-missile-plan-chills-chances-for-syrian-no-fly-zone-47941/
Russia to send Syria missiles as spillover fears grow
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DefenceTalkRussia insisted Tuesday it would deliver anti-aircraft missiles to Syria despite international criticism, as fears of spillover from the conflict grew after three Lebanese soldiers were killed in a border-area attack. Israel warned Russia it would “know what to do” if the delivery went ahead, and Syria’s top rebel commander gave Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-send-syria-missiles-as-spillover-fears-grow-47958/