Chariot: Russian-owned vessel back in Aegean

After a dash for Russian waters, the vessel turned around and is past Izmir headed towards Turkey again. Chariot’s captain earlier confirmed the ship had arrived in Turkey from Tartus, Syria. Sources said last week in Cyprus at least 35 tons of munitions and explosive material were discovered and in Turkey that the vessel contained a cargo of bullets. Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said his country is not violating any international obligations by selling weapons to Damascus. "As of today there are no restrictions on our delivery of weapons," he told journalists in Russia, according to the country's state news agencies. "We must fulfill our obligations and this is what we are doing." "I found him relaxed and sure. He is confident in the Russian position," Wahhab told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar in an interview with Assad in Damascus published February 2. back

IS Alvnd: Syria's isolation weakens Iran

IS Alvand, DE 71, passed through the Suez canal at Ismailia, Egypt, Tuesday, Feb.22, 2011, together with IS Kharg, replenishment ship 431. here
Syria's isolation entails a weakening of the Iranian regime, and at a time when it is aiming to impose itself as a regional superpower. Despite the bullish rhetoric that Iranian leaders keep on dispensing, the Iranian regime is currently in trouble: without Assad, Iran will be isolated. more
Most of its oceangoing surface ships are more than 40 years old, and Tehran is struggling to keep them operational. Over the past few years the only major ships the government has managed to add are one home-built destroyer and three Russian-made submarines. read