Russian jet launches flares at MQ-9 Reaper in Syria, ‘severely damaging’ propeller: US

Russian jet launches flares at MQ-9 Reaper in Syria, ‘severely damaging’ propeller: US
Russian jet launches flares at MQ-9 Reaper in Syria, ‘severely damaging’ propeller: US

US Air Forces Central released video footage of the “reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior” after a Russian official seemed to attempt to blame American forces.

Doubling down on deterrence: US sends F-35s, destroyer to Gulf after Iran-linked ‘alarming events’

Doubling down on deterrence: US sends F-35s, destroyer to Gulf after Iran-linked ‘alarming events’
Doubling down on deterrence: US sends F-35s, destroyer to Gulf after Iran-linked ‘alarming events’

The move comes after F-22s were also sent to CENTCOM’s area of responsibility as a check on “unsafe” Russian activity in the air over Syria.

As Russia intercepts another US drone over Syria, official warns ‘triumvirate’ with Iran to force US out

As Russia intercepts another US drone over Syria, official warns ‘triumvirate’ with Iran to force US out
As Russia intercepts another US drone over Syria, official warns ‘triumvirate’ with Iran to force US out

“My assessment, and we have some evidence to support this, is that as Russia and Iran have pulled themselves closer together, that there is interest on both sides to push us out of Syria, to put a pressure campaign on us to have us leave,” a senior defense official said today.

Pentagon assessing damage after ‘highly classified’ US secrets leaked online

Pentagon assessing damage after ‘highly classified’ US secrets leaked online
Pentagon assessing damage after ‘highly classified’ US secrets leaked online

“The Department of Defense is working around the clock to look at the scope and scale of the distribution, the assessed impact and our mitigation measures,” said Chris Meagher, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs.

As interest in Russia’s S-400 wanes, Turkey pushes its own air defense systems

As interest in Russia’s S-400 wanes, Turkey pushes its own air defense systems
As interest in Russia’s S-400 wanes, Turkey pushes its own air defense systems

While a Turkish industry official claimed the country didn’t “need” the Russian systems, experts say a replacement has a little ways to go to catch other operational domestic variants.

Israel eyeing kinetic, non-kinetic options to disrupt Iran-Syria cargo flights

Israel eyeing kinetic, non-kinetic options to disrupt Iran-Syria cargo flights
Israel eyeing kinetic, non-kinetic options to disrupt Iran-Syria cargo flights

Mordechai Kedar, an Israeli senior expert on Iranian and Middle Eastern issues, told Breaking Defense that the new relations between Iran and Russia has encouraged Tehran to restart the cargo flights from Iran to Syria. “They feel good with their new friend and that explains their recent moves,” he said.

Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict could impact the Israeli-Russian relationship — especially in Syria

Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict could impact the Israeli-Russian relationship — especially in Syria
Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict could impact the Israeli-Russian relationship — especially in Syria

The current round of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh involves clashes between Russian-made systems operated by the Armenians and Israeli-made systems operated by the Azeris.

Did Israel send a message to Russia about Iranian ties with latest strike in Syria?

Did Israel send a message to Russia about Iranian ties with latest strike in Syria?
Did Israel send a message to Russia about Iranian ties with latest strike in Syria?

An Aug. 14 Israeli strike came within three kilometers of a Russian base, closer than normal strikes would come to Russian assets in Syria.

New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel

New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel
New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel

“We have indications that Chinese experts visited in recent months some Syrian military installations that were damaged heavily during the civil war,” one Israeli defense source said.

Russians fire S-300 at Israeli jets in Syria; could impact tactics, geopolitics

Russians fire S-300 at Israeli jets in Syria; could impact tactics, geopolitics
Russians fire S-300 at Israeli jets in Syria; could impact tactics, geopolitics

“If this is a onetime incident, that is one thing,” said the senior defense source. “If this is a change in Russian policy, the Israeli government will have to decide: when a Russian battery launches, will Israeli attack it?”

In Syria, Iranian forces fill gaps left by Ukraine-bound Russians: Sources

In Syria, Iranian forces fill gaps left by Ukraine-bound Russians: Sources
In Syria, Iranian forces fill gaps left by Ukraine-bound Russians: Sources

Intelligence sources say Russians have pulled out of key Syrian facilities, and Syria has welcomed advisers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in their place.

Balancing priorities, Israel watches for Russian change in Syria

Balancing priorities, Israel watches for Russian change in Syria
Balancing priorities, Israel watches for Russian change in Syria

Israeli sources say both Western coalition and Russian forces have recently bolstered their presence as proxy tensions come into renewed focus.

Israel takes sides in Ukraine invasion, braces for consequences in Syria

Israel takes sides in Ukraine invasion, braces for consequences in Syria
Israel takes sides in Ukraine invasion, braces for consequences in Syria

Jerusalem had tried to placate Russia to keep a free hand against regional rivals.

US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now

US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now
US, Russia should establish deconfliction line for air operations over the Black Sea – now

With President Joe Biden warning that war between Russia and Ukraine is potentially “days” away, the situation in Europe appears to be growing only more dangerous. Into that mix the US and other NATO allies are pushing air power to the front lines. In a new op-ed, Aaron Stein of the Foreign Policy Research Institute…