August 10, 2007: Russia has
announced its intention to again maintain a permanent naval squadron in the
Mediterranean. Russia has not done this for nearly two decades. The squadron
would be based in Syrian ports, which is apparently part of an arms purchasing
deal. Weapons for basing rights, or something along those lines. It is feared
that Syria is acting as a front for Iranian arms purchases, but everyone denies
this.
The Russian squadron would
probably consist of a few surface warships and a submarine.
