Russia's New Mega-Missile Stuns the World - David Axe -
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/09/russia-s-new-mega-missile-stuns-the-globe.html?via=twitter_page
Putin's latest weapons were mostly unknown to the outside world-until they began slamming into Syria.
On Oct. 7, Russian warships in the Caspian Sea fired 26 high-tech cruise missiles at rebel targets in Syria-a staggering 1,000 miles away.
The missiles in question, which the Pentagon calls SS-N-30s, were mostly unknown to the outside world before the Oct. 7 raid. Even close watchers of the Russian military were surprised to see them. The missile attack was also highly visible. In many ways, it was an announcement to the world, and America in particular, that the once-dilapidated Russian navy is back in action-and that Putin's missiles are now among the planet's most advanced.
Planning for the missile attack began on Oct. 5, six days after Moscow's warplanes conducted their first bombing runs on rebel holdouts in western Syria. Russia is intervening in Syria ostensibly to help the Damascus regime defeat the so-called Islamic State widely known as ISIS, but the Russian attacks seem to be hitting ISIS's enemies more than the terror army itself. What's more, critics point out, Syria provides Moscow strategic access to the Mediterranean Sea.
"Russian reconnaissance had discovered a number of important objects of militants, which were to be destroyed immediately," the Russian Defense Ministry explained in a statement. Drones, surveillance satellites, radio interception, and human spies on the ground helped planners select the targets, the ministry added.
"The strikes engaged plants producing ammunition and explosives, command centers, storages of munitions, armament, and [oil], as well as a training camp of terrorists on the territory of Raqqa, Idlib, and Aleppo," according to the ministry. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the missiles struck all 11 planned targets.
The Russian military celebrated the raid with a press release and an official video, and Shoigu went on national TV to praise the operation. Kurdish militiamen shot video they claimed depicted the missiles flying over northern Iraq. And the U.S. military apparently closely tracked the rocket-powered, guided munitions-and later claimed that several malfunctioned and crashed in Iran.
The media coverage was at least as important as the destruction of the alleged rebel facilities, U.S. defense officials told The Daily Beast on Wednesday. "This is Russia demonstrating on a global stage that it has a lot of reach," one official explained.
Eric Wertheim, an independent U.S. naval analyst and author of the definitive Combat Fleets of the World, a reference guide to warships and their weapons, agrees, saying of the missile volley: "I think it was a demonstration to the world."
Wertheim and other foreign analysts were familiar with an earlier version of the SS-N-30 called the SS-N-27, but the latter is an anti-ship missile and the analysts assumed it could only fly 150 miles or so-a fraction of the roughly thousand miles the rockets traveled during the recent raid.
The SS-N-30 obviously boasts a much greater range than its predecessors and can also strike targets on dry land. That makes it broadly similar to the American Tomahawk missile, which the U.S. military traditionally fires in large numbers from ships and submarines in order to wipe out enemy air defenses before conducting aerial bombing campaigns. The U.S. Navy fired Tomahawks to hit the most heavily defended ISIS targets at the beginning of the American-led air war over Syria in September 2014.
Very few countries possess Tomahawks or similar munitions-and only the United States and Great Britain have ever successfully used them in combat. Now Russia has joined that exclusive club of global military powers. And that should worry the Pentagon, Wertheim said: "It should be a wakeup call that we don't have a monopoly on the capability."
What's particularly striking is that Moscow has been able to build this long-range naval strike capability with much smaller vessels than anyone thought possible. In the U.S. Navy, large destroyers, cruisers, and submarines carry Tomahawk cruise missiles-and those vessels are typically at least 500 feet long and displace as many as 9,000 tons of water.
The four brand-new warships that launched the SS-N-30s were much, much smaller-ranging in length from 200 to 330 feet and displacing no more than 1,500 tons of water. "Small ships, big firepower," Wertheim commented.
That matters because, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia's shipbuilding industry suffered a long period of deep decline that the Kremlin has lately struggled to reverse. That has had a profound effect on the Russian navy. "There are relatively few new warships in service at present and the ones that have been commissioned in recent years are all relatively small," Dmitry Gorenburg, from Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, wrote in a recent analysis.
But the October barrage proves that even the small warships that Russia is building can strike hard and far-something that, once upon a time, only the United States and its closest allies could do. Moscow's missile raid helps re-establish Russia as a global military power. "They're very serious about this," Wertheim said.
Moscow on the Mediterranean - By Howard Green - http://www.raptureready.com/soap2/green38.html
At this time Russia has moved nearly 30 fighter jets, 14 helicopter gunships, a substantial number of T-90 tanks, and artillery into Syria. They have placed numerous S-300 surface to air missiles in country as well. Armored personnel carriers are on the ground and there are enough containerized housing units in place to house at least 1,500 soldiers.
Speculation abounds on what endgame the Russian leadership has in mind.
One thing is certain, Russia is successfully dictating the geopolitical status quo in the Middle East and by default becoming the military powerhouse in the region almost overnight. The Russian resurgence is due in large part to Washington politicians who prefer to view the realities of the world through rose colored glasses.
Let's take a look at these recent developments and how they may be setting the stage for a prophetic showdown as Syria is beginning to resemble Moscow on the Mediterranean.
While Russia claims to be confronting ISIS targets, real time information on the ground shows otherwise. Russia is clearly targeting opposition forces who were gaining the upper hand against President Bashar Assad's army. This action by the Russians is troubling for many reasons but the main reason is twofold.
In one swift movement, Putin has largely undermined and unseated the US.in the region. Now President Putin (former KGB) is the main power broker in the Middle East and he is dictating political outcomes in the most dangerous part of the world.
As we consider these events through the lens of Bible prophecy, we need to take the 10,000 foot view because there are many things to consider. There are alliances being forged between Russia, Iran, Syria, China, and others that is very concerning. In our 10,000 ft. view of the region, there are a few key factors we should consider: In regard to the recent so-called "nuclear deal."
Iran gains an estimated additional $150 billion in funds to do what they want with. People with any realistic understanding of recent history understand that Iran will continue to finalize their nuclear weapons program, threaten Israel and the US, fund Hezbollah and the many other terrorist groups that shed the blood of many innocent people including the blood of US military personnel.
Another key factor to consider is the large amount of SAMS (surface to air missiles) Russia has brought into Syria. As others have pointed out, ISIS has no airpower that we know of, so the next question is this: What are the SAMS intended for? One can only speculate, but I have considered them as a possible deterrent to anyone threatening Russian interests.
Cash-strapped Russia is selling military equipment and providing strategic knowhow to Iran for a price and both countries are benefitting.
As Iran is inching closer to a nuclear threshold, Israel has not made it a secret that it will defend itself from its enemies. Prime Minister Netanyahu has right issued repeated pleas for help in combating an Iranian regime that's bent on Israel's destruction. Prime Minister Netanyahu's voice of reason has sadly been ignored by most of the world.
Since Israel has left a preemptive strike against Iran on the table, one has to consider the real reason behind the Russian SAMS in the area. Could they be considered as a deterrent against an Israeli attack on Iran? The missiles could also be meant to send a message to NATO to stand down in the region. The scenarios I presented are purely speculation, but in light of recent events... anything is possible.
Here is an interesting and unprecedented development...China has deployed several warships to the region to assist the Russian military. Chinese military vessels passing through the Suez Canal and taking up positions along the Mediterranean coast of Syria is unheard of. While the Russian and the People's Liberation Army have conducted war games together before, this "military support" is much different.
This is an active theatre of war and not the place to sit as a casual supporter. It will be interesting to watch and consider what the level of China's involvement is in the coming weeks.
One of the greatest and matter of fact statements I've ever heard was when Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress earlier this year and was referencing the quagmire and foolishness of foreign policy in the Middle East when he said: "The enemy of your enemy... is your enemy."
When the Prime Minister made that statement, he was referring to the fact that just because Iran and ISIS are at odds, it doesn't make Iran an ally. That same clear logic applies to the current situation in Syria and the Middle East. Even (if) Russia was truly going after ISIS...which is questionable (at this time), the main thing is they are continuing to bolster the Assad regime.
The Assad government is responsible for the deaths of nearly 250,000 people in Syria. Regardless of whether Russia fights ISIS, the Syrian Opposition, or others... they are continuing to prop-up an evil dictator who hasn't hesitated to use chemical weapons on his population.
How do these recent developments tie together and how might they fit into the end time scenario? No one can be certain, but I have noticed that this is the first time in history when the events written in Ezekiel38could possibly take place. Israel is back in her rightful place and that wasn't the case until 1948 when her modern rebirth occurred.
Going back to our 10,000 foot view of the Middle East, we must consider the strategic alliances being forged. My wife and I were watching a major news outlet report on the "coalition" forming in the Middle East. The graphic showed Russia, Iran, and Syria. We just looked at each other knowingly because of the possible prophetic implications.
Time will tell whether Russia's only objective is solidifying the Assad regime or if there is a long term goal at the core. Russia finally has firmly established its foothold and gained a second warm water port city in Latakia after recently establishing a naval base in Tartus.
It is worth noting that in the last few years (2010) Israel has discovered a vast natural gas field off of its Mediterranean coast. The Leviathan gas field is scheduled to begin production in 2017. An even more stunning discovery was announced just this week.
Massive oil reserves were discovered in Israel's Golan region. As the linked article states: "This is a potential game changer." Click here for the full story.
The current crisis in Syria may or may not be laying the groundwork for an eventual invasion by a Russian led coalition, but one thing is certain: There is a day coming when a coalition of nations led by Russia will come down to plunder the wealth of Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-12).
Russia is currently in poor financial straits due mainly to plummeting oil prices among other things. Russia needs to bolster its economy to remain a viable world power. The nation has projected its power most recently in Ukraine and seized Crimea along with its assets.
So we can see how and why the scenario in the Bible could unfold very easily. Whether the invasion by Russia, Iran, and others happens in the near future or decades from now... it will certainly take place because the Bible describes it in great detail.
Russia has always poked around in the Middle East. It has been an ally of the Assad regime for years, has had dealings with Iran, and projected limited influence. This came to a head in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War and everything eventually quieted down.
In the future, possibly even sooner than we think; Russia, Syria, Iran, and others won't relent. There will be no brokered peace deal and this evil coalition will swoop down to seize riches from the nation of Israel.
What a glorious day because the Lord God Himself will destroy the advancing armies with a great earthquake, hailstones, fire, sulphur, throwing the enemy soldiers into confusion, and they will turn against each other. God's Name will be great in the Land of Israel and they will know He is the Lord on that day of victory.
Looking at our daily papers, television, and Internet news...we should be able to recognize that this world will not continue as it is for much longer. Iran is threatening Israel with total destruction and acquiring the means to carry it out. Russia is setting up shop in the region and judging by the large amount of equipment and personnel they are bringing, they may plan on being there for the long haul.
The current conditions in the Middle East is certainly an indicator that God's judgment will soon fall on this unrepentant, sinful world. The coalitions forming, the violence in the region, and the constant threat of all-out war is proof that God's prophetic Word is spot on accurate.
In the coming weeks and months, keep your eyes on Middle East events, especially Iran, Syria, and Russia. It's looking like Moscow on the Mediterranean.
All for Him,
Howard
Russia Adds 111 Warheads Under Arms Treaty - Bill Gertz -
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/russia-adds-111-warheads-under-arms-treaty/
Moscow warheads above New START treaty limit
Russia has now deployed more than 100 nuclear warheads in its strategic arsenal above the limits set by the New START arms treaty limits-two years before it must meet treaty arms reduction goals.
New START nuclear warhead and delivery system numbers made public Oct. 1 reveal that since the 2010 arms accord went into force, Moscow increased the number of deployed nuclear warheads by a total of 111 weapons for a total of 1,648 deployed warheads. That number is 98 warheads above the treaty limit of 1,150 warheads that must be reached by the 2018 deadline of the treaty.
At the same time, U.S. nuclear warheads, missiles, and bombers have fallen sharply and remain below the required levels under the New START pact.
The United States during the same period of the Russian increases cut its deployed nuclear arsenal by 250 warheads.
The Russian increases and U.S. cuts bolster claims by critics who say the arms treaty is one-sided in constraining U.S. forces while the Russians appear to be ignoring the treaty limits as part of a major strategic forces buildup of missiles, submarines, and bombers.
Additionally, nuclear analysts say recent actions and statements suggest Russia may be preparing to jettison the New START treaty.
"Russia may pull out of the New START before it requires any Russians reductions," said former Pentagon nuclear policymaker Mark Schneider. "Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department of security and disarmament issues, Mikhail Ulyanov, said so in 2014 and 2015."
U.S. nuclear forces in 2011 included 882 land- and sea-based missiles and bombers, 1,800 deployed nuclear warheads, and 1,124 non-deployed launchers and bombers.
The United States today has 762 ICBMs, submarine-launched missiles and heavy bombers, 1,538 warheads and 898 non-deployed weapons.
For the same categories, Russia added five missiles for a total of 526, and 12 non-deployed launchers and bombers for a total of 877.
The Air Force in August carried out the first showing for Russian nuclear inspectors of a converted nuclear-capable B-52H bomber to a non-nuclear aircraft under the treaty. The bomber exhibition took place in September and thus was not counted in the latest U.S. figures for bomber cuts.
Additionally, the Navy also showed the first nuclear missile submarine with converted launch tubes under the treaty last month.
The United States plans to eliminate 98 launchers and heavy bombers under the treaty to reach the 800 treaty level for launchers and bombers by 2018.
Plans call for converting 30 B-52H bombers and 56 submarine-launched ballistic missile launchers and send 12 B-52Hs to the aircraft bone yard.
"To date, our reductions have been for inactive or weapon systems without a nuclear mission-104 ICBM launch facilities, 51 B-52Gs, and converting B-1s to conventional-only under the treaty," said one defense official.
By contrast, Russia under Vladimir Putin is embarked on a major strategic nuclear forces buildup that includes new missile submarines, upgrading older missile submarines and adding several new strategic missiles. Moscow, like the U.S. Air Force, is also planning a new bomber.
Additionally, Russia under Putin has announced a new doctrine that places a greater emphasis on nuclear forces.
During the crisis over Russia's military annexation of Ukraine's Crimea, Putin made threats to use nuclear forces against the United States and NATO if there were intervention to reverse the annexation.
Russian officials also have made nuclear threats against the United States in response to reports that NATO plans to move military forces into Eastern Europe in response to Russian threats.
Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, said Russia "is in the business of violating treaties."
"From the Intermediate range Nuclear Forces Treaty, to the Open Skies Treaty, to other conventional and unconventional arms control agreements-Russia violates any treaty or agreement that puts limits on capabilities that Mr. Putin and his cronies desire," Rogers said. "Russia's arguable adherence to the New START Treaty just indicates how bad a deal it is for the United States."
The nuclear numbers were disclosed by the State Department's bureau of arms control, verification, and compliance.
Blake Narendra, a State Department spokesperson for the arms control bureau, said officials are aware of the increase in Russian deployed warheads and delivery vehicles. But he sought to play down the buildup.
"The United States and Russia continue to implement the New START Treaty in a business-like manner," Narendra said. "We fully expect Russia to meet the New START Treaty central limits in accordance with the stipulated timeline of February 2018."
By that date, Moscow and Washington must reach limits of no more than 700 deployed treaty limited delivery vehicles and 1,550 deployed warheads.
Despite the U.S. cuts, Narendra said "our declared forces show clearly that the United States maintains a capable deterrent force capable of defending our interests and those of our friends and allies."
The increase in Russian numbers was anticipated as Moscow replaces older weapons, Narendra said, adding "we have known for a long time about Russia's modernization of its strategic nuclear arsenal."
The spokesman defended the utility of the treaty despite the Russian buildup that has included unprecedented nuclear threats against NATO. The treaty provides knowledge of numbers and locations of Russian strategic forces "at a time when we need it the most," he said.
Schneider, now a senior analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy, said Russia is now at the highest level of deployed nuclear warheads since the New START treaty went into force.
"For the last three reporting periods-18 months-Russia has moved from below New START limits in deployed warheads and deployed delivery vehicles to above them," said Schneider.
"In all three limited categories-deployed warheads, deployed delivery vehicles and deployed and non-deployed delivery vehicles-Russia is above its entry into force numbers from 2011".
Schneider said a flaw in the treaty counting numbers allowed the Russians to under count bomber weapons so that Russia may have between 400 to 500 more bomber-delivered warheads than the United States.
"The U.S. left may not think this is very important, but the Russians do and it is their finger on the Russian nuclear trigger," Schneider said.
Adm. William Gortney, commander of the U.S. Northern Command, which is in charge of defending the continental United States, said Russia is qualitatively building up its military forces, with a new doctrine and, in particular, new cruise missiles capable of hitting the United States from Russian airspace.
"They've read our play book and they're putting in force, they're fielding cruise missiles that are very, very accurate, very long range," Gortney said Wednesday in remarks to the Atlantic Council, a think tank.
The new missile has been identified by other defense officials as a KH-101 air launched cruise missile that can be armed with either nuclear or conventional warheads.
The missile can reach U.S. infrastructure targets in Canada and the United States from launch points within Russian air space, Gortney said.
Gortney said the Russians have been "messaging" the United States with long-range nuclear-capable bomber flights along U.S. and Canadian borders.
War game scenarios in recent months have included simulated Russian conventional cruise missile strikes on long-range early warning radar in Alaska, he said.
The military blog Russianforces.org said the increase of 66 Russian warheads and nine launchers since March, when the last treaty numbers were released, probably reflects Moscow's deployment of new submarine-launched Bulava missiles on the new submarine Alexander Nevsky, launched in April.
Army Lt. Col. Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for the U.S. Strategic Command, said the treaty "continues to enhance security and strategic stability."
"We fully expect Russia to meet the New START Treaty central limits in accordance with the stipulated timeline of February 2018," he said.
Thomas Moore, a former professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who specialized in arms control, said he is not surprised the Russians are over treaty limits while the the United States is below them.
"But I guess we are under it early because 'business-like' implementation of the treaty is a way the administration can appear to be doing something, and they have a base of left-wing support which demands we go lower still, and faster," Moore said.
Russia has been building up its forces steadily, he added.
"Its raid of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Caspian to targets in Syria is another sign that, along with New START warhead numbers, its nuclear-capable systems, strategic warheads, and overall nuclear capability at all ranges and with all types of weapons is building up, not down."
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