US Aggression in Syria: Testing Russia’s Resolve

On Tuesday, for the fifth time in recent weeks, US warplanes attacked Syrian military targets, flagrant acts of aggression.

They’re part of Washington’s diabolical regime change plan – at the same time, testing Russia’s resolve in the wake of its announced halt in cooperating with America in Syrian airspace, following the downing of one of its Su-22 planes.

The latest incident involved a US F-15 warplane, downing a Syrian drone near its border with Iraq and Jordan.

A US-led coalition statement lied, claiming the UAV “displaced hostile intent and advanced on coalition forces.” Calling naked aggression self-defense is the last refuge of a rogue state. America and Israel are Exhibits A and B.

On June 8, a US warplane downed another Syrian UAV in the same southern part of the country.

Washington claiming it doesn’t seek to fight Syria and allied forces is a bald-faced lie. Actions in the air and on the ground speak for themselves.

On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov minced no words, calling America’s presence in Syrian “absolutely illegal.”

“There is neither a United Nations Security Council resolution nor a request from Syria’s legitimate authorities to this effect. It’s a principle of international law,” he stressed.

The same goes for Turkish, UK and other foreign forces operating in Syria. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah are legally involved at Assad’s request.

On Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said any foreign aircraft or other airborne objects operating west of the Euphrates River will be tracked by its sophisticated S-400 air defense systems as hostile targets.

Moscow wants confrontation with Washington avoided. At the same time, continued US hostile acts risk possible conflict between both countries by accident or design.

The more aggressive America becomes, the greater the risk of potential war between the world’s leading nuclear powers.

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Articles by: Stephen Lendman

About the author:

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.

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