A file picture taken on September 21, 2015 shows a portrait of Hassan Nasrallah (top), the head of Lebanon's militant Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, and portraits of pro-government forces members killed in combat displayed on a street in the Syrian capital, Damascus. (AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID)
Reuters: Hezbollah welcomes Russian buildup in Syria, says U.S. has failed
Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah on Friday welcomed Russia's military buildup in Syria in support of common ally President Bashar al-Assad, saying it was the failure of a U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State that had forced Moscow's hand.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a three-hour interview with the group's al-Manar TV that increased Russian support for Assad included highly advanced weapons systems, warplanes and helicopters.
Russia has stepped up its military involvement in Syria while pressing for Damascus to be included in international efforts to fight Islamic State, a demand Washington rejects. By raising the stakes in Syria's four-year conflict, Moscow has prompted its Cold War foe to expand diplomatic channels with it.
Update: Hezbollah leader welcomes Russia's growing presence in Syria -- FOX News/AP
WNU Editor: I guess the Hezbollah leader is happy about this .... Report: Syria arming Hezbollah with 75 Soviet-era tanks (Times of Israel). But for the long term .... if I was Putin .... I would not trust the Hezbollah leader. Hmmm ... come to think of it .... I would not trust him now.
Update: There is a lot of truth in this analysis .... Did Russia move into Syria because Hezbollah is exhausted? (David P. Goldman, Asia Times).
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