Stephen Lendman

Russia’s sophisticated military capability matches the West’s best, a force to be reckoned with, giving Pentagon commanders pause on how to challenge it.

London’s Independent discussed its effective Syrian campaign, saying it “deliver(ed) a hi-tech shock to (the) West and Israel,” its sophisticated weapons and technology matching or exceeding their best.

Its military capability is no longer disparaged. US Army Europe (USAEUR) commanding General Ben Hodges called its electronic warfare advances “eye-watering.”US Air Forces in Europe commander General Frank Forenc said its air defense systems in Crimea and Kaliningrad make it “very, very difficult” for NATO aircraft to safely access parts of Eastern Europe, including areas of Poland.

Israel expressed concern about its sophisticated weapons in Syria, “wonder(ing) where it will all end,” troubled about losing its regional aerial superiority, according the Independent.

It quoted an unnamed senior Israeli military intelligence official, saying “(a)nyone who wants anything done in this region is beating a path to Moscow.”

Putin noted the significance of the West’s seeing “for the first time that (Russia’s sophisticated) weapons do exist…that we have well-trained people who can put them to effective use. They have now seen, too, that Russia is ready to use them if this is in the interest of our country and our people.”

Its state-of-the-art S-400 air defense systems (more advanced new generation S-500s to be operational later this year) control wide areas of airspace where they’re deployed, able to down threatening aircraft, as well as ballistic, cruise and other missiles - of great concern to US-led NATO and Israel.

Its electronic warfare capability, including the Krasukha-4, can jam airborne warning and control (AWACS) and satellite radar systems.

According to US Army Cyber Commanding General Edward Cardon’s deputy Mr. Ronald Pontius, “(y)ou cannot but come to the conclusion that we are not making progress at the pace the threat demands.”

Russia’s military and technological capability is awesome, the Independent saying:

“The question for the West is whether to react to this by initiating a new chapter of confrontation with Moscow, or one of greater accommodation.”

Longstanding US regime change plans, including overt hostility and repeated provocations, risk possible WW III.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

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