Russian jets and missiles heading to Syria, says US

US officials have voiced concern about Russia’s increasing military presence in Syria, saying it appears to be aimed at strengthening the government of Assad, a longtime Russian ally, rather than seeking a transition to a new political leadership.

Earnest renewed requires Russian Federation to cooperate with the U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes to degrade and destroy the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

“If Russian Federation had not supported Syria, the situation in the country would have been worse than in Libya, and the refugee flow would have been even greater”, he said.

RUSSIA’S recent movements near Syria’s city of Latakia suggest that Moscow plans to establish a “forward air operating base” there, the USA has said.

American officials say they are uncertain of Russia’s intentions with the latest deployment of heavy military equipment, but believe that propping up Assad militarily could exacerbate violence in Syria.

Cook told reporters Tuesday that Defense Secretary Ash Carter has not spoken to his Russian counterpart since he took office in February, even though he said the suspension of the military relationship would not prevent that.

“The president comes to power with the consent of the people, through elections, and he leaves at the request of the people, not by a decision of the US, the UN Security Council, the Geneva Conference or the Geneva Communique”, Assad said in an interview with Russian media, according to state-run RIA Novosti.

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Joseph Harper said Russia’s increased military involvement in the region would be risky. Moscow has also sent other weaponry – along with military advisers, technicians, security guards and portable housing units – with the apparent goal of setting up an air base near the coastal town of Latakia, a stronghold of the Syrian president.

Recent military activity in Syria indicates theestablishment of a Russian air base in the war torn country a Pentagon spokesman said Monday.

In testimony before a Senate committee in July, Dunford, President Barack Obama’s nominee to serve as the next top USA military officer, said the risk from Russian Federation outranked perils posed by terrorists and by nations such as China and North Korea.

“The thing that we have the most thinking to do about in this budget compared to any other previous budgets is Russian Federation“, said Michael McCord, emphasizing that different service branches were evaluating investments and their posture toward Russian Federation.

Shumilin thinks Moscow’s actions in Syria may also be providing a diversion from its controversies elsewhere.

Syria’s conflict began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

“The fact that the woman who wrote the book on genocide, Samantha Power… could apparently in good conscience stay on as United Nations ambassador”, Hiatt wrote, “lent further moral credibility to USA abdication”.