US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has accused Russia of supplying attack helicopters to the Syrian government in support of its defense against violent attacks from foreign-backed insurgents.
Interestingly, one of the models of helicopters which the Syrian government has in its fleet is the Mi-17, which is also the same type as the 21 machines sold by Russia to US forces in Afghanistan just over a year ago, not long after the US lifted sanctions on Rosoboronexport, the Russian arms export corporation, in 2010. The US is also currently set to sub-contract Rosoboronexport for ammunition supplies.
In addition to the Mi-17, Syria also possesses several dozen Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, which are still under repair and modernization contracts with Russia. The Obama administration has not clearly identified weapons supplied in violation of these contracts, much less any violations of sovereign or international law in its recent press releases.
Several US Senators have voiced opposition to the Pentagon's continued contractual dealings with Rosoboronexport in recent weeks because of the previous sale as well as the possible purchase of an additional 12 helicopters, and the recent reports of the Russian arms exporter supplying Iran with rocket equipment and technology (much like in 2005/06, right before imposing sanctions).
The US position of playing both sides of the fence on arms exportation and supply while leveling accusations of misconduct against the Russians is the pot calling the kettle black. At the very least, the US government contracting with the very same corporation that the US government routinely condemns for atrocities and violations of international law and democracy sends a mixed message to the people of the nation and the world.
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