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Downing of Russian Aircraft by Syria Showed Carelessness and Lack of Professionalism

(Ha'aretz) Moshe Arens - The downing by a Syrian missile of the Russian surveillance aircraft near Latakia last week was an accident waiting to happen. Whoever pulled the trigger did not bother to ascertain the identity of the target. A look at the radar screen should have made it obvious that this slow-moving, propeller-driven aircraft was not a fighter aircraft. This kind of carelessness or lack of professionalism may be typical of the operation of the Syrian air defense system, even under Russian tutelage. It was not unexpected that the Russian spokesmen would blame Israel and leave the Syrians who shot down the Russian aircraft blameless. Nevertheless, it is to be expected that the Russians will now take a close look at how the Syrian air defense system works and attempt to make improvements. The writer served as Israel's Minister of Defense three times and once as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
2018-09-26 00:00:00
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