Putin's Newest Satellite State
Guest post written by Adam Ereli
Two days before Christmas, as American policymakers were settling into the holidays, Russia quietly signed a sweeping air defense agreement with Armenia, accelerating a growing Russian military buildup that has unfolded largely under the radar. It was the most tangible sign yet that Putin is creating a new satellite state on NATOs border and threatening an indispensable U.S. ally.
The buildup in Armenia has been glossed over in Washington, despite being a key piece of Vladimir Putins plan to dominate the region along with its proxy Syria and growing military ties with Iran. Most importantly, Armenia shares an approximately 165 mile border with Turkey, a NATO member and the alliances southern flank.
Over the last six months as Russias war in Syria and pressure on Turkey has intensified the flow of its arms and personnel into Armenia has escalated to include advanced Navodchik-2 and Takhion UAV drone aircrafts, Mi-24 helicopter gunships and Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Last July, Putin ordered snap combat readiness checks in Armenia to test the ability of his forces to react to threats to Russias interests abroad. Earlier this month on orders of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu, Russia began a massive military exercise in its southwestern strategic direction, which includes Armenia. The total strength of the regional operation included approximately 8,500 troops, 900 ground artillery pieces, 200 warplanes and 50 warships.
The growing Russian military presence in Armenia is but the latest indicator of a worrisome trend: Putins threat to NATO and Americas interests in Europe.
The Armenian-Russian alliance is gaining strength
The Armenian-Russian alliance is gaining strength. Armenia currently hosts an estimated 5,000 Russian military personnel and two Russian bases. In 2010, both countries signed an agreement that extended Russias basing rights in Armenia by 24 years, until 2044, and committed Moscow to supply the Armenian armed forces with modern and compatible weaponry and special military hardware, according to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia nearly 120 kilometers from the capital (and less than 10 kilometers from the Turkish border) has become a crucial Russian beachhead.
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http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2016/02/24/putins-newest-satellite-state/#3cc4eb5d3549
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(90,061 posts)doxyluv13
(247 posts)I love the part where he blames Putin for putting his foreign military bases too close to our foreign military bases.
Manages to go thru his whole analysis of the Russia Turkey competition without mentioning the Turks shooting down that Russian jet under murky circumstances.
And Jeez, are Georgia and Azerbaijan really key American allies? I sure hope not.