Own goal

Looks like the Syrians might have some explaining to do to the Russians.

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Middle East air combat

Looks like the Israelis just shot down a Syrian warplane.  The article doesn’t say it but I am guessing it was an Su-25.

Russia’s drone AFV

I was unaware that Russia was fielding one of these.  Syria looks more and more like 1936-1939 Spain to me, with Russia using it as an opportunity to test their new weapons in combat.

More Russian casualties in Syria

Story here.

Russians lose another plane in Syria

Story here.  Looks like a bird or FOD ingestion, not combat related, but still expensive.

Big explosion in Syria

I wonder what this is all about.  I suspect the story is correct and it WASN’T an Israeli IRBM.  But, what was it?

Syria

Interesting report on the weapons used in the recent strikes on Syria.  Will see if it deters Assad from using such weapons.

 

More info here.

Russia’s Syrian troubles

Russia has troubles in Syria.  Here is an interesting summary of the problems.

Su-57 combat deployment

It appears that Russia has deployed a couple of Su-57s to Syria for combat operational testing.  Russia appears to be using Syria as a testing ground, much like Germany and Italy did in Spain.  While the Su-57 won’t make much of a difference in ground attack operations, it is something that the US clearly has to consider their presence when operating strike aircraft over Syria.  This area is getting more tense every day.

Syrian flashpoint

Regular readers of this blog know that I keep highlighting the growing tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea.  I still think that is the place in the world most likely to be the focus of a great power conflict.  However, recent reports out of Syria indicating that US forces killed 100+ Russian mercenaries working for the Syrian government may raise an alternate flashpoint.  While I don’t think Russia is the treat that China is, Russia still has formidable capabilities and could inflict serious losses on US forces, at least in the short term.  (h/t Jeff Groves.)