This Will Work Just Fine

The big news seems to be that the question of whether to elevate Syria to the vacant slot in the Axis of Evil is moot. Syria has applied for the position by announcing an alliance with Iran. Iran and Syria have long been allies. Syria supported Iran during the Iran-Iraq War, almost alone in the Arab world (Libya supported Iran for awhile, but even they dumped Iran in time). So much for pan-Arab solidarity, I guess. Pity, I thought Syria could be brought to heel with pressure and that Damascus would recognize they will lose if push comes to shove. Instead they support the insurgents in Iraq and make common cause with the Iranian thug regime. The Syrians at least still have a bit of a grasp of reality in their insistence that this is not an anti-American move. Riiiiiight. Syria's minority Allawite regime just kissed their butts goodbye, it seems.

But the biggest news seems to be that Russia has decided to go from superpower to Axis of Evil candidate by selling advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. And more weapons from Russia will follow:

Felgenhauer added that Russia would likely offer other types of weapons to Syria, which purchased billions of dollars in weapons from Moscow during the Soviet times.

"This deal looks like only the beginning," Felgenhauer said. Ruslan Pukhov, the head of Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, an independent think-tank specialized in arms trade, said Moscow would likely offer Syria more powerful Tor air-defense missiles.

A spokesman for Rosoboronexport state arms-trading company refused to comment on the deal involving Strelets or other potential contracts with Syria.

Syrian President Bashar Assad defended his nation's right to buy anti-aircraft missiles from Russia during a visit to Moscow last month. Russia also agreed to write off nearly three-quarters of Syria's $13.4 billion debt — a move expected to help bolster military ties.

I am of course disappointed that Russia tried to reclaim Ukraine, plays footsie with China as the junior member of the League of Ex-Communist States, and keeps Iran's nuclear programs going. Putin's assault on democracy in his own nation is upsetting as well. They could have been our friends but have decided to be a pain in the ass to us in order to relive the glory days when we gave a damn about them. Now we won't give a damn and we won't be inclined to help them when they are in a jam. Good move, Vladimir. Durak.

But really, I am not upset at all at the arms deals. Face it, Syria can't afford to pay--the cancellation of past debts should be a clue. And Syria's military is so ill-trained that all that new hardware will just be expensive junk (pause while I turn of Chris Matthews. I will never watch that morally confused jerk again) burning across Syria if it ever comes to a fight with any of their neighbors. And if that shiny Russian-made hardware is scrap, Russia shouldn't get their hopes up too high that Damascus will keep sending those monthly payments.

So what if Russia sells weapons to Syria to get back at us? Syria buys high-tech weapons that will be less useful to them than small arms and car bomb parts; and Russia will never get paid for this stuff. Isn't it good that Syria wastes money on weapons they won't be able to use effectively and that Russia will never get paid for those weapons?

I love it when a plan comes together.