Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., August 25, 2008 Av 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:37 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad, during a meeting in Russia last week. (AP) Last update - 11:21 24/08/2008 Russian embrace of Syria tightens, but for what purpose? By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies Tags: Russia, Syria, Bashar Assad  Syria denied on Friday that it was considering hosting an advanced Russian missile system, a day after President Bashar Assad held talks with Russian officials about upgrading his country's military. Syria's state news agency said deployment of Iskander missiles, which Moscow says are capable of defying any missile defense, was not on the agenda of talks between Assad and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a Black Sea resort on Thursday. Russian media had quoted Assad as saying that Syria was ready to negotiate deployment of the surface-to-surface mid-range missiles, which can also reach Israel. Advertisement Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that Russia was prepared to sell Syria "defensive weapons which are not breaking the regional balance of power." Syria is interested in Russia's Pantsyr-S1 air defense missile system, the BUK-M1 surface-to-air medium-range missile system and aircraft, Russian agency Interfax quoted a diplomat as saying. Commentators say they believe the rapprochement between Syria and Russia was aimed mainly at pressuring Israel vis-a-vis its indirect talks with Syria. In an article posted yesterday on the Asia Times Web site, Syrian political analyst Sami Moubayed, wrote that the concern in Jerusalem is "playing nicely into the hands of Syria, which is using it to strengthen its ties with an old and resurrected friend, send messages to a traditional foe [Israel], and pressure the United States into changing course over Damascus." U.S. Syria expert Joshua Landis wrote in his blog Syriacomment.com that "Syria's bad negotiating position is leading it to look for more weapons and to try to grow more teeth before returning to the table with Israel," adding, "Both Assad and Hezbollah are hoping to get new weapons systems from Russia and greater diplomatic backing." But despite the preoccupation with weapons, he asserts that all eyes are on the peace process. Related articles: Zvi Bar'el / The problem is Putin, not the missiles Olmert eyes Russia trip 'to discover what they're planning to sell to Syria' Israel: No crisis in Jerusalem-Moscow relations Bookmark to del.icio.us   McCartney in Israel The former Beatles lead singer announces his plans to perform in Tel Aviv next month. Next big invention U.S. entrepreneur makes aliyah to take advantage of Israeli innovation.   1.   Israel MUST close negotiations while it is strong 05:06  |  Pablo B 24/08/08   2.   For Israel, it is of paramount importance not to abandon the... 07:20  |  Jean Van Daem 24/08/08   3.   Welcome to the world of cause and effect 11:38  |  Natallie Durson 24/08/08   4.   What can Israel do about the new Russia-Syria pacts? Nothing. 17:47  |  Aounist 24/08/08   5.   God bless Russia for helping Syria 19:40  |  Baba 24/08/08   6.   Waiting for the Russian strength fad to fade. 22:44  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/08/08   7.   Wishful Thinking Fortuna 19:00  |  Myles 25/08/08

Read & React Gilad Shalit becomes punchline for jokes in the Gaza Strip Responses: 74 ANALYSIS / On verge of Rice visit, Israel and PA far from peace accord Responses: 17 Akiva Eldar: Let settlers who refuse evacuation in peace deal stay in Palestine Responses: 37 Israel not planning to detain activists' boats leaving Gaza Responses: 17 More Headlines 15:39 Abbas: No peace until all Palestinian prisoners released 18:21 Rice arrives in Israel in bid to push forward Israel-PA talks 18:32 ANALYSIS / As Rice arrives in region, Israel and PA far from peace accord 07:19 Gilad Shalit becomes punchline for jokes in the Gaza Strip 19:07 As convention kicks off, Democrats say U.S. Jews will overcome fears of Obama 13:15 Hitler and McCain: Madonna's photo montage angers GOP presidential nominee 18:32 Can an unknown Israeli save the world from ecological disaster? 18:29 Arab rights group protests closure of Islamic institute 15:00 Officials: Cairo talks unlikely to reconcile Hamas and Fatah 12:43 Democratic Convention Notes: Meet Chinese Jewish candidate Hank Eng 19:11 Why was 1965 Beatles concert in Israel really canceled? 14:33 Watchdog to High Court: Order Mazuz to indict Katsav immediately 13:18 Mofaz aides on budget: Livni buckled under pressure again 15:28 Police search for missing girl in 'one of the most shocking cases in Israel's history' 05:30 Rallies scheduled to mark Shalit's third birthday in captivity Previous Editions Select Day 24 aug 22 aug 21 aug 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug

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