[Tee tiong huat]

Putin just greedy for land.   gave land very thing can be solve.
https://youtu.be/8YkGrKQXZxE?si=sGZ4hd1ZofZvSedP
 

Syria govt reportedly blocks evacuation of Russian military equipment from naval base before going back to fight against Ukraine...

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria govt reportedly blocks evacuation of Russian military equipment from naval base before going back to fight against Ukraine...

https://youtu.be/gTutLQbwHZw?si=5vgd3YohRKjFiwLz

[Tee tiong huat]

Syrian intelligence says it thwarted Islamic State attack on Shi’ite shrine. It said members of the cell were arrested before they could detonate an explosion inside the shrine. Syria’s Intelligence Directorate foiled an attack by the Islamic State group on Sayeda Zeinab shrine in a Damascus suburb, a site of mass pilgrimage for Shi’ites, state news agency Sana reported on Saturday. It said members of cell were arrested be4 they could detonate an explosion inside the shrine.
https://indianexpress.com/article/news-t...e-9772421/

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria's new leader meets Lebanese caretaker PM in bid to fix strained ties. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met Najib Mikati in Damascus, with the latter becoming the first Lebanese premier to visit the Syrian capital in 15 years. Both focused on strengthening the border between the two countries. Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Damascus on Saturday in a bid to improve long-fraught ties, with the pair focusing on strengthening their shared border. The trip was the first by a head of government to Syria since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by a sweeping rebel offensive on December 8, 2024, and the first visit by a Lebanese premier to neighbouring Syria in 15 years.

[Tee tiong huat]

The leaders of new Syria govt expressed optimism that 14 million displaced Syrians would return to their country within two years following the fall of the Bashar Assad regime. Speaking to Dubai-based documentary filmmaker & YouTube content creator Joe Hattab in a video that aired Sunday, Al-Sharaa emphasized that following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime in December, Syrians who were forced to flee their homeland are already returning.

“I am confident 14 million Syrians will return to country in 2-years. Only around 1 to 1.5 million will remain (abroad),” he said. Al-Sharaa criticized ousted regime for using state institutions to suppress &2 dominate the population, organizing institutions to oppress people and resorting to tactics like torture and killings.He outlined his administration’s commitment to justice as a foundational principle for Syria’s reconstruction and development
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/syri...rs-104829/

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtu.be/gTutLQbwHZw?si=5vgd3YohRKjFiwLz

Today's top news: Ukraine, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi..

[Tee tiong huat]

Today's top news: Ukraine, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi..

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, is in Ukraine this week to meet people affected by the hostilities, discuss how the UN can further cooperate with Ukrainian authorities, and engage with humanitarian partners.


Yesterday, in Zaporizhzhia, Fletcher held talks with authorities. He visited the site where a missile hit a medical clinic last month, destroying the facility and causing civilian casualties. He also visited an underground school, built in just 6 months, which will educate 1,000 children each day.

In Dnipro yesterday, Fletcher visited a collective site for displaced people.

Today, the Under-Secretary-General travelled to the front-line area of the Donetsk region, where he commended the work of local first responders and non-governmental organizations. He witnessed how aid organizations are supporting communities remaining in the area. At a transit centre in the city of Pavlohrad, in Dnipro, he saw how evacuees are receiving assistance.

Fletcher will visit Kharkiv tomorrow. On Thursday, he and Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), will launch this year’s humanitarian and refugee response plans for Ukraine and the region. Fletcher and Grandi will jointly speak to the press from Kyiv just before the plans are launched.
Occupied Palestinian Territory...???.

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The leaders of new Syria govt expressed optimism that 14 million displaced Syrians would return to their country within two years following the fall of the Bashar Assad regime. Speaking to Dubai-based documentary filmmaker & YouTube content creator Joe Hattab in a video that aired Sunday, Al-Sharaa emphasized that following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime in December, Syrians who were forced to flee their homeland are already returning.

“I am confident 14 million Syrians will return to country in 2-years. Only around 1 to 1.5 million will remain (abroad),” he said. Al-Sharaa criticized ousted regime for using state institutions to suppress &2 dominate the population, organizing institutions to oppress people and resorting to tactics like torture and killings.He outlined his administration’s commitment to justice as a foundational principle for Syria’s reconstruction and development
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/syri...rs-104829/

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues, OCHA is once again calling on the Israeli authorities to enable the delivery of life-saving assistance to people across the Strip – safely, swiftly and at scale. OCHA reports that the Israeli authorities continue to deny UN-led efforts to reach Palestinians with vital aid. Throughout Gaza yesterday, only seven out of 22 UN-planned humanitarian movements were facilitated by the Israeli authorities. Six were denied outright, five were impeded, and four were cancelled due to security and logistical challenges.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns ongoing hostilities and evacuation orders continue to displace civilians across Strip. Civilians whether they leave or stay. Those fleeing fighting must be allowed to do so safely, in central Gaza yesterday Israeli military issued a new evacuation order for residents in An Nuseirat, in Al-Mufti neighbour. Humanitarian partners estimate that some 4,100 people are affected by the latest directive. The area under evacuation includes residents living in and around two displacement sites managed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. It also includes three medical points, two water delivery points and two temporary learning spaces.

Partners have observed a limited number of people moving from the area under evacuation toward Nuseirat City and other parts of Deir al Balah. Displaced people across Gaza continue to report critical shortages of food, water and sanitation facilities. That’s according to a new survey of nearly 2,500 households across the Strip. More than two thirds of those households told humanitarian partners that they had been displaced at least once over the last 60 days.

[Tee tiong huat]

Leaders of new Syria govt is optimism, it 14 mil displaced Syrians would return to their country within two years following fall of the Bashar Assad regime. Speaking to Dubai-based documentary filmmaker & YouTube content creator Joe Hattab in a video aired Sunday, Al-Sharaa emphasized the collapse of 61-year-old Baath regime in Dec, Syrians who were forced to flee their homeland are already returning. “I'm confident 14 mil Syrians will return to country in 2-years. Only around 1 to 1.5 million will remain (abroad),” he said. Al-Sharaa criticized ousted regime for using state institutions to suppress &2 dominate the population, organizing institutions to oppress people, resorting to tactics like torture & killings. His admin’s commitment to justice as foundational principle for Syria’s reconstruction and development
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/syri...rs-104829/

A historic move marking a new era for Syria, the first class of Syrian police cadets has graduated since fall of President Bashar Assad. Event took place at newly reopened police college in Damascus, signifying a significant shift in country's approach to security after decades of oppressive rule under Assad's regime. Known for its brutal tactics including widespread surveillance, arbitrary detentions, torture, & the deaths of many, the Assad family's legacy is now being rewritten by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Group, now steering the nation's security apparatus, aims to "preserve security & safety in Syria’s provinces & to track down remnants of Assad regime," as stated by Oussama Mohammad, a military official at police college. Ceremony was both symbolic & practical, with over 400 young men applying to join this new force, hoping to bring stability to a nation long scarred by conflict. During event, cadets in police uniforms marched, showcasing their commitment to a new Syria.
https://youtu.be/mmovjL_zDxg?si=lYglkYxJ7AuxeBNP

[Tee tiong huat]

A historic move marking a new era for Syria, the first class of Syrian police cadets has graduated since fall of President Bashar Assad. Event took place at newly reopened police college in Damascus, signifying a significant shift in country's approach to security after decades of oppressive rule under Assad's regime. Known for its brutal tactics including widespread surveillance, arbitrary detentions, torture, & the deaths of many, the Assad family's legacy is now being rewritten by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Group, now steering the nation's security apparatus, aims to "preserve security & safety in Syria’s provinces & to track down remnants of Assad regime," as stated by Oussama Mohammad, a military official at police college. Ceremony was both symbolic & practical, with over 400 young men applying to join this new force, hoping to bring stability to a nation long scarred by conflict. During event, cadets in police uniforms marched, showcasing their commitment to a new Syria.
https://youtu.be/mmovjL_zDxg?si=lYglkYxJ7AuxeBNP

https://youtu.be/mmovjL_zDxg?si=1dlodDhTryx7N-pN

[Tee tiong huat]

UN & humanitarian partners continue to support the response across Syria.

OCHA reports today, 15 trucks carrying food for 34,000 people from World Food Programme crossed✓Türkiye through Bab Al-Salam border-crossing to northern Aleppo. The humanitarian community continues to monitor rates of malnutrition across country. Since Dec, UN & its partners have screened more than 45,000 children & 16,000 pregnant & breastfeeding women for malnutrition. Among them, 300 children & 215 women received treatment.
Meanwhile, in north-west of country, humanitarian partners have started rehabilitating classrooms & installing temporary learning spaces for more than 20,000 children.

However, in north-east, many children continue to miss out on attending school. At least 68,000 children have been out of school since December due to 133 schools being used as emergency collective centers for displaced people. Syria continues to be impacted by financial liquidity issues, including the suspension of bank withdrawals. Cash assistance remains suspended in areas where banking services are not operational. Food security partners report that people are struggling to access food, despite its availability in markets, as they have to prioritize their limited cash for essential needs.

[Tee tiong huat]

Israel has declared war on promise of a strong, democratic Syria. After being quite comfortable with al-Assad’s tyranny for decades, now fears what Syrian democracy could do & is bent on sabotaging it.

The end of 2024 delivered a surprising turn of events in 13-year-long war in Syria. Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed spectacularly & faced with a limited operation by rebel forces. Amid turmoil, Israel expanded its occupation of Syrian land on south of country, expelling hundreds of Syrians from their homes. It also launched a devastating campaign of aerial bombardment, wiping out Syrian air force military capabilities. Some of the bombardment was so massive that it registered as minor earthquakes. Dozens of people have been killed as a result of these strikes.

Israeli soldiers also sometime shot at civilians protesting occupation. These folks come from community long resisted Israel’s archenemies, the al-Assad regime is backup my Iran, developments are yet to proof that Israeli claims about fighting “the axis of resistance” & try seeking friendship with people of the region. Israel now clearly chosen to begin relations with new govt, its It positioning itself as biggest spoiler of efforts to stabilise Syria & hope establish legitimate, democratic governance in Syria.

[Tee tiong huat]

Israel latest news: Text of hostage-ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas
Copy of deal, the authenticity of which was confirmed to ToI, shows how many Palestinian prisoners Israel must release per freed captive, details terms of Israeli pullout from Gaza. 

[Tee tiong huat]

Live updates: Israel’s cabinet is expected to convene a meeting today to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to reports.

Two of Israel’s far-right, ultranationalist government ministers are threatening to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if the Gaza ceasefire deal is ratified.

[Tee tiong huat]

•January 17, 2025. After fall of Assad regime in Syria. New York Times joined a group of former rebel soldiers trying to enforce law & order in country grappling with ghosts of its past. On a Raid With Syria’s New Security Forces. 

With Analysis view: As Russia, Iran strengthen alliance after Syria setback. The two countries signed 20-year cooperation pact, but despite anti-US stance there are limits to their partnership. The Iran / Russia have finalised a long-delayed cooperation agreement, reinforcing ties between the two countries as both face mounting geopolitical pressures.

The 20-year deal, signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, enhances military and defence cooperation, includes a clause neither country would allow its territory to be used for any action that would threaten the safety of the other, nor provide any help to any party attacking either country. 

Look like both Russia and or Iran finger is pointing to Israel backup by Trump.

[Tee tiong huat]

•January 17, 2025. After fall of Assad regime in Syria. New York Times joined a group of former rebel soldiers trying to enforce law & order in country grappling with ghosts of its past. On a Raid With Syria’s New Security Forces. 

With Analysis view: As Russia, Iran strengthen alliance after Syria setback. The two countries signed 20-year cooperation pact, but despite anti-US stance there are limits to their partnership. The Iran / Russia have finalised a long-delayed cooperation agreement, reinforcing ties between the two countries as both face mounting geopolitical pressures.

The 20-year deal, signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, enhances military and defence cooperation, includes a clause neither country would allow its territory to be used for any action that would threaten the safety of the other, nor provide any help to any party attacking either country. 

Look like both Russia and or Iran finger is pointing to Israel backup by Trump.

This can lead to a regional war about in year 2029 to 2032....

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This can lead to a regional war about in year 2029 to 2032....

Casualty and more casualty?, for this year, 2025. While Trump is hoping to have a deal make between the Russia / Putin with Ukraine...here another world war for Israel vs Iran backup by Putin.

[Tee tiong huat]

Casualty and more casualty?, for this year, 2025. While Trump is hoping to have a deal make between the Russia / Putin with Ukraine...here another world war for Israel vs Iran backup by Putin.

Putin is likely war after 20 years agreement Iran..

[Tee tiong huat]

Putin is likely war after 20 years agreement Iran..

Stepping to a full brown Global War Conflict.

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria govt reportedly blocks evacuation of Russian military equipment from naval base before going back to fight against Ukraine...

Middle East latest: Gaza ceasefire set to start 8:30 am Sunday after 15 months of war.

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Live...ICC chief prosecutor meets Syria’s de facto leader. He makes unannounced visit to Damascus for talks on ‘accountability for alleged crimes’.
Released by Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, 

Published On 17 Jan 2025
The International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) chief prosecutor has made an unannounced visit to Syria to meet with Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Syria’s new de facto govt, to discuss how to ensure accountability for alleged crimes committed in the country. Prosecutor Karim Khan met al-Sharaa and Syria’s foreign minister on Friday to discuss options for justice at the ICC for victims of the country’s 13-year war.

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtube.com/shorts/ErE-vFO-5Oc?s...53NKm5T177-

[Tee tiong huat]

Syrian intelligence says it thwarted Islamic State attack on Shi’ite shrine. It said members of the cell were arrested before they could detonate an explosion inside the shrine. Syria’s Intelligence Directorate foiled an attack by the Islamic State group on Sayeda Zeinab shrine in a Damascus suburb, a site of mass pilgrimage for Shi’ites, state news agency Sana reported on Saturday. It said members of cell were arrested be4 they could detonate an explosion inside the shrine.
https://indianexpress.com/article/news-t...e-9772421/

https://youtube.com/shorts/ErE-vFO-5Oc?s...53NKm5T177-

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria govt reportedly blocks evacuation of Russian military equipment from naval base before going back to fight against Ukraine...

“It will be years before the Ukrainian Air Force has enough experience to execute combat missions effectively.” That’s what experts predicted in 2024 about Ukraine’s use of F-16 fighter jets. Yet just six months later, a young Ukrainian pilot shattered expectations by downing six cruise missiles in one daring sortie. From air-to-air missile precision to a breathtaking cannon kill, this story redefines bravery, skill, and the F-16’s legacy.

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtube.com/shorts/ErE-vFO-5Oc?s...53NKm5T177-

Local sources in Yemen early on Sunday reported airstrikes carried out by the U.S. on Arab state's territory. According to Yemeni sources, the U.S. has targeted northern Sana'a Governorate four times. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties. As Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against Israeli occupation since regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Op Al-Aqsa Storm, against Israel occupying Gaza entity. U.S & UK >Dec-2024 announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of Israel.

[Tee tiong huat]

Local sources in Yemen early on Sunday reported airstrikes carried out by the U.S. on Arab state's territory. According to Yemeni sources, the U.S. has targeted northern Sana'a Governorate four times. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties. As Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against Israeli occupation since regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Op Al-Aqsa Storm, against Israel occupying Gaza entity. U.S & UK >Dec-2024 announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of Israel.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/227104/US-s...four-times

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria govt reportedly blocks evacuation of Russian military equipment from naval base before going back to fight against Ukraine...

Syria bans goods from Russia, Iran, Isreal

January 19, 2025. Syria's new administration has banned all Russian, Iranian, and Israeli goods from entering the country in a new decree issued by the country's finance minister on Jan. 17. Any relevant goods discovered at land and border crossings will be confiscated, according to the ban, reported regional media outlets. The decision came shortly after the country had restricted entry of Iranian and Israeli passport holders. Ukraine has moved quickly to restore ties with Syria after rebels overthrew the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8.

Under previous regime, Russia had military bases in Syria that it used for operations in Africa & the Middle East. Last month, Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha visited Syria, marking first official Ukrainian delegation to Syria in years. During trip, he said he hoped to increase trade with Syria. As new Syrian govt looks to establish itself & reset foreign relations with its former partners adversaries, trade ban may exacerbate tensions in the region and impact trade.

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General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war” if Turkey & Islamist continue carrying out attacks inside country. Both sponsors inside Syria, such as Syrian Nat Army (SNA) comprising mercenaries, criminal bands, been attacking Kurds in northern & eastern Syria. Both also been joined by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), main opp group led the offensive against Assad in attacks against Kurds. Kurds are an ethnic group spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Most of the Kurds Sunni. R Muslims also practice Christianity & Zoroastrianism among other religions. In Syria, Kurds run a regional govt northeast named Syria called Autonomous Admin North & East Syria (AANES). Kurds are mainly US ally in the region in the war against Islamic State (Isis), Turkey considers them enemies. Turkey equates SDF w/Kurdish group PKK, blamed insurgency inside Turkey considers a terrorist group. Turkey has for years attacked Syrian Kurds, sought to limit size of AANES farther from Turkish border.

Kurdish commander warns of ‘bloody civil war’
As Turkish military and Syrian militias have joined hands against Kurds, General Abdi said the SDF is under “constant attack”. “We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA,” said Mazloum in an interview with Fox News. Mazloum said that Turkey is carrying out up to 81 drone attacks a day amid “intensive” artillery bombardment. He went on to say that such an offensive has “paralysed our counterterror operation” IIf the new Syrian regime is not inclusive and if violence continues as it is, then Syria is headed into another “bloody civil war”, warned Mazloum.

“So any new govt in Syria needs representative, needs inclusive contain include all different parties of Syria. So if not that takes us to a bloody civil war in the country and that will put us in huge stage of escalatory path that no one can predict the fate of that,” said Mazloum. Fears of Islamic State’s resurgence. He warned spiralling violence in Syria could be fertile grounds for the resurgence of Islamic State. In safeguarding Kurdish territory conducting regular op against Isis, SDF is also responsible of guarding several prison complexes up to 45,000 Isis terrorists and their family members are put. Amid ongoing chaos in Syria. Turkey has opened a front against Kurds, fears attempts at freeing these prisoners could be made, which would be catastrophic for the region if it is successful.

Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control. However, prisons & camps are in a critical situation b'cos guarding them are leaving having to protect their families eg: like Raqqa ISIS prison, contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters, number of guards diminished by half putting them in a fragile position.” he added, “We expect those Islamists, different factions to unite, to fight with ISIS will bring back tougher extremists, organisations back to country." Mazloum further said that even though a ceasefire was reached with Turkey-backed groups earlier this week with US mediation, the attacks continued both from Turkey & militias.

Over the weekend, the Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in Manjib was followed by SNA’s offensive against the SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS on Tuesday captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds, who had captured the city from Assad’s regime forces last week.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-kurd...g_rewarded

Syrian minister rejects Kurdish-led SDF’s proposal for own military bloc. Integrating Syria’s myriad armed groups into unified command structure is a priority of new govt. Syria’s new defence minister said.

It would not be right for US-backed Kurdish fighters based in the country’s northeast to retain their own bloc within the broader integrated Syrian armed forces is saying.

Speaking to Reuters news agency in Damascus, Murhaf Abu Qasra said on Sunday that Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was procrastinating in its handling of the complex issue.

The SDF, which has carved out a semi-autonomous zone through 14 years of war, has been in talks with the new admin in Damascus led by former rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/19...itary-bloc

[Tee tiong huat]

Who is Trump to tell Putin to talk about Peace for Ukraine....he is just not interested at all. He is just greedy for land arhh.
https://youtu.be/QJZ0U3zyNWo?si=wHYnyOrwzKeJQD79

MiG-29: How U.S. “Outfoxed” Iran To Acquire Russian-Origin Fighters From Moldova After Break-Up Of USSR

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MiG-29: How U.S. “Outfoxed” Iran To Acquire Russian-Origin Fighters From Moldova After Break-Up Of USSR

Iran is reportedly keen to acquire Russian Su-35 Flanker-E fighters to counter the fighter fleets of its regional adversaries. However, a similar attempt by Tehran in the late 1990s to acquire cutting-edge MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters from a former Soviet state was derailed by its adversary, the United States.

Iranian media reported in March 2023 that a deal had been reached between Iran and Russia to arm the Iranian Air Force with 24 Su-35 fighter jets that were originally built for Egypt.

The purported sale was believed to be based on Iran’s continued support for the Russian military in its war against Ukraine. Iran has already received the Russian Yak-130 trainer aircraft that it has equipped with R-73 air-to-air missile.


When the deal first made headlines, observers noted that the acquisition would mark a substantial upgrade for the Iranian air force, predominantly consisting of outdated US and Soviet-era aircraft.

Interestingly, when Israel attacked Iranian military sites in a missile attack in October, pro-Israel and pro-West military bloggers joked that Iran would have to keep its outdated fighters in the air so that Israeli missiles don’t obliterate whatever is left of the Iranian air force.

Iran’s association with Russian jets goes back more than three decades. Iran bought about 18 MiG-29 in 1989, with deliveries starting the following year, in 1990. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, four more MiG-29s were flown from Iraq to Iran.

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Iran tried to buy more MiG-29s from Moldova, a small European country located close to Russia. However, the United States came in the way and bought the fighters instead to deny Iran the opportunity to have them.

Missing In Action! China’s “World’s Best” Z-20 Helicopter’s Absence From High-Altitude Tibet Ops Raises Eyebrows

How US Derailed Iran’s Plan To Buy MiG-29 From Moldova
The MiG-29 was developed and inducted into the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. It was designed as a riposte to the American F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon. The aircraft was believed to be comparable to the two ace American fighters and even more advanced than them in certain areas.

The US officials were intrigued with the MiG-29 Fulcrum since the day they first spotted it in satellite images. They saw a sophisticated, sleek-looking fighter that could challenge the best US Air Force fighter jets of the time. Some US officials openly acknowledged that the Soviets were catching up with US aircraft technology.

From Washington To Taipei — A Surface-To-Air Missile That Shields Capitol Hill Will Now Defend Taiwan’s Capital

The MiG-29 was a lethal and agile aircraft in its heyday. Its Archer AA-11 missile was very sophisticated for the 1990s because it could lock targets with a helmet-mounted cueing system away from the jet’s nose at greater angles than the American fighters of the same class.

When the Soviet Union disintegrated in December 1991, many former Soviet states inherited these formidable fighters. One such state, Moldova, had Fulcrums that it could not afford to fly or maintain anymore. The only logical step for the country was to sell them.

The US was worried that another adversary might purchase the Moldovan MiG-29s and use them against the interests of the United States and its allies.

Iran expressed the willingness to purchase these second-hand Fulcrums from Moldova in 1997. Washington feared that Moldova would sell Iran the MiGs, particularly the nuclear-capable MiG-29C version, which Iran allegedly sought at the time.

U.S.-China ‘Face Off’ In South China Sea! As US-Philippines Drill In SCS, PLA Counters With Maritime & Air Wargames

The officials in the US believed that Iran wanted the aircraft because it strived to become a nuclear power. The US also believed that the acquisition of these aircraft by Iran would destabilize the entire Middle East region and put its closest ally, Israel, in a precarious security situation.

So, it decided to buy the aircraft from Moldova instead. After stating that they were “on Iran’s shopping list,” then-Defense Secretary William S. Cohen declared that the United States would buy 21 of these jets from the former Soviet state. In a deep recession, Moldova readily acquiesced to sell most of its MiG-29 Fulcrum fleet to the US.
Under a deal reached in October 1997, the US purchased six MiG 29As, one MiG 29B, and 14 MiG 29Cs, along with 500 air-to-air missiles and all the spare parts and diagnostic equipment at the Moldovan air base where the aircraft were stationed. The United States transported the fighters to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) on C-17 military transport aircraft.

Moldovan MiG-29C is readied for air shipment – Wikimedia Commons. For Iran, this proved to be a major loss. The Iranian Air Force already operated a fleet of Fulcrums, and the Moldovan MiGs would have been an inexpensive and quick way to increase the numbers required to boost combat prowess, with or without the nuclear carrier capability of the MiG-29C. Experts later assessed that Iran could convert the F-4 and Su-24 into nuclear delivery platforms if it wanted an aircraft for nuclear weapons.

The United States was interested in MiG-29 from the beginning. Once the aircraft reached the US, their airframes were deconstructed, and the capabilities of each of their components were tested. The US pilots studied, trained on, and flew the MiG-29s. Around the same time, the Israeli Air Force, keen to get a first-hand look at the MiG-29s, acquired three fighter jets on rent from an undisclosed East European country. According to reports, over two weeks in April 1997, the Israelis flew each aircraft 20 times. The helmet-mounted sight and infrared search-and-track systems were evaluated technically, and mock battles against the F-15 and F-16 were fought.

Some former Moldovan MiGs were reportedly tested in the United States, including in dissimilar air combat training (DACT) against American-built aircraft. This would have offered insightful information about the Soviet-built fighters, particularly the Fulcrum-C variant. There have been rumors that the MiG-29 has been flown consistently for years to test and train pilots in the US. A 2022 report in Air Force Magazine claimed that, along with other Russian-built fighters, “some number” of the former Moldovan fleet are still flown for DACT today.It also noted that other Fulcrums employed for covert testing and evaluation on behalf of the Department of Defense are probably supported by spares from other non-flying members of the imported Moldovan MiG cadre. None of this could be verified. However, over the years, the Fulcrum has occasionally been spotted in US airspace.

AI-Enabled Kamikaze Drones Start Killing Human Soldiers; Ukrainian..Russian Troops “Bear Brunt” Of New Tech. Missing In Action! China’s “World’s Best” Z-20 Helicopter’s, l a Defense Aerospace journalist with a keen interest in geopolitics and global conflicts.“Game-Changer” In Ukraine’s Military Strategy, Shield AI, Manufacturer Of MQ-35A V-BAT...