Moscow Arms Assad with a Top-Flight Surface MissileLast January, when Assad first approached Russia to purchase the highly advanced Iskander SS-26 surface missile, the Bush administration stepped in and obtained a promise from president Vladimir Putin to call off the sale, as did Israel’s Ariel Sharon during the Russian president’s visit in May. Putin has broken both 'promises' giving Syria a critical strategic advantage in the region.
Source Article: DEBKAfile