in order to move there Russian fleet from the Black Sea. Russian move is largely retaliatory for the US involvement in Georgia and Ukraine. Ukraine pushes Russia to vacate the navy base in Crimea.
Russian deployment in Syria means bringing S-300 and likely S-400 anti-aircraft batteries there. Importantly, Russians would bring their full models rather than the stripped-down export versions. Though the killing range of S-300 is relatively small, the radar detection range would provide warning info for much of Syria.
Russian deployment emboldens Syria, and explains Syria’s unwillingness to negotiate peace with Israel.
After visiting Moscow, Iran’s foreign minister vowed to “expand and strengthen” his country’s relations with Russia.
In the confrontation with America, Russia retaliates by supporting Israel’s enemies.
Update: Russia built a huge Navy base in the Syria port of Tartus and supplied S-300
The location of Syrian port of Tartus is not that important any more. No matter whta Ukraine thinks about the Russian fleet in the Crimea, they can’t do much about it. If the location of Syrian port of Tartus is suitable for Russia, it’s great, of course. But most likely, Russia will have two fleets: in Ukraine and Syria.
Col. Yair Klein should have thought twice before coming to Russia: it’ll always be one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Russian Tartus is going to be a new trouble for the whole world and NATO in particular.Russian Tartus will be just another military base for Russian troops.
Koptsov’s suicide might have influenced this decision of the Russian government and that’s why this port has been chosen.