Report: Syria 'intensely' arming itself

It is of course news that Russia would be supplying Syria with advanced missiles and anti-aircraft installations. What's interesting here is that Syria is allowing Russian ships and subs to station within it's territorial waters, (12 NM offshore and 193 miles of coastline). That means the Russians will have a safe haven and front row seat to American and allied naval movements around Cypress and southern Turkey. It most importantly means the Russians can use their advanced naval radar to detect any Israeli or allied activity in the area and supply guidance to Syrian launched missiles and anti-aircraft systems. After the the Israelis recently took the Syrians completely by surprise, the Russians are not going to allow the Syrians to screw up their premier anti-aircraft systems again. Just a hunch, but it's good odds that Russian anti-aircraft radar technicians will be looking over the Syrian operators shoulders for some time to come.

FROM JIHADWATCH.ORG:

Report: Syria 'intensely' arming itself
Russia factors heavily in this situation, reportedly extending weapons discounts and other benefits to Syria. A rather myopic move by a country that is battling its own jihadist insurgency.
"Syria 'intensely' arming itself," by Aaron Klein for World Net Daily:

JERUSALEM – Syria is in the midst of "intensely" arming itself, placing into position rockets and missiles capable of striking the entire Jewish state, according to an assessment presented to the Knesset today by multiple Israeli security agencies.
The announcement follows a WND exclusive report last month quoting security officials stating Syria, aided by Russia and Iran, has been furiously acquiring rockets and missiles, including projectiles capable of hitting any point in Israel. The officials listed anti-tank, anti-aircraft and ballistic missiles as some of the arms procured by Syria.
Yesterday, Israel's Mossad and Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence chiefs presented an annual security report to the Knesset warning of Syria's armament program.
The chiefs also warned of a possible flare-up at Israel's northern border with the Hezbollah terror group and said in their assessment Iran could cross the technological threshold enabling it to assemble a nuclear bomb by the end of next year.
The assessment came after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week negotiations between the Jewish state and Syria should be seriously considered it if would bring an end to Syrian-sponsored terrorism and Damascus' "involvement in the axis of evil."
The negotiations would aim for some sort of Israeli evacuation from the Golan Heights strategic, mountainous territory looking down on Israeli and Syrian population centers twice used by Damascus to launch ground invasions into the Jewish state.
Syria openly provides refuge to Palestinian terror leaders, including the chiefs of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and has been accused of shipping weapons to Hezbollah. Damascus is also accused of supporting the insurgency against U.S. troops in Iraq.
'Furious frenzy' to get Russian missiles
Olmert's announcement of Israel's willingness to negotiate followed a WND report in which Israeli and Jordanian security officials outlined Syria's recent armament.
A Jordanian security official said one of the main reasons Damascus did not retaliate after Israel carried out its Sept. 6 air strike inside Syria – which allegedly targeted a nascent nuclear facility – was because Syria's rocket infrastructure was not yet complete.
The official said that after the Israeli air strike, Syria picked up the pace of acquiring rockets and missiles, largely from Russia with Iranian backing, with the goal of completing its missile and rocket arsenal by the end of the year. The Jordanian official said Syria is aiming to possess the capacity to fire more than 100 rockets into Israel per hour for a sustained period of time.
"The Syrians have three main goals: to maximize their anti-tank, anti-aircraft and ballistic missile and rocket capabilities," explained the Jordanian official.
According to Israeli and Jordanian officials, Syria recently quietly struck a deal with Russia that allows Moscow to station submarines and war boats off Syrian ports. In exchange, Russia is supplying Syria with weaponry at lower costs, with some of the missiles and rockets being financed by Iran.