REGIONAL OPACITY OF RUSSIAN ARMS TRANSFERS & RUSSIA MOVES IN ON SYRIAN DE-ESCALATION ZONES10/16/2017 Russian arms transfers: Moscow’s sale of a better defense system to the Saudis than to its “ally” Iran is consistent with the pattern of its attempts to influence outcomes in the region, David P Goldman writes. Iran, habitually characterized as Russia’s “ally” in Western media, was permitted to purchase a much older and inferior Russian system, the S-300. But Saudi Arabia, as well as Russia’s Cold War adversary Turkey, will buy the far more advanced S-400, which is considered a “game-changer” and is highly effective against the sort of cruise and ballistic missiles that Iran will be able to field over the next several years. Russia does not have the wherewithal to replace the United States as a regional hegemon, but it does have considerable means to affect the balance of power through carefully calibrated weapons sales to the opposing Persian Gulf powers. READ THE STORY HERE Iran nuclear deal: While everyone was focused on what US President Donald Trump had to say on Friday regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, what got overlooked is that he also unveiled a brave new Iran strategy for the post-Islamic State era, MK Bhadrakumar writes. Trump’s Iran strategy is a dream project for Saudi Arabia and the UAE – and for Israel. It may seem like a relaunch of the old enterprise to contain Iran, built around an alliance system involving the US and its regional allies. But the circumstances today are different. The US and its allies stare at defeat in the Syrian conflict and are circling their wagons to stave off an ignominious rout with long-term consequences. Faced with Iran’s surge, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are willing to proclaim a convergence of interests with Israel. READ THE STORY HERE
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