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Russia Raises Stakes in Syria, Sends 12 Warships
(Wall Street Journal) Adam Entous, Julian E. Barnes and Gregory L. White - Russia has sent a dozen or more warships to patrol waters near its naval base at Tartus in Syria, a buildup that U.S. and European officials see as a newly aggressive stance meant partly to warn the West not to intervene in Syria's civil war. Russia's expanded presence in the eastern Mediterranean represents one of its largest sustained naval deployments since the Cold War. "It is a show of force. It's muscle flexing," a senior U.S. defense official said. "It is about demonstrating their commitment to their interests." In the last three months, 10 to 15 Russian ships have been near Tartus at any one time, U.S. and European officials say. Russia currently has 11 ships in the eastern Mediterranean, including destroyers, frigates, support vessels and intelligence-collecting ships. The U.S. Navy has two destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean. U.S. officials believe that by assuring Russia that the base will remain under Moscow's control in a post-Assad Syria, the U.S. has a better chance of convincing Putin to break with Assad. In addition, U.S. officials believe that Russia is moving more quickly to deliver S-300 surface-to-air defense systems to Syria. U.S. officials say the S-300 system, which could make it more risky for any warplanes to enter Syrian airspace, could leave Russia for Tartus by the end of May.