Russian MiGs to Lebanon? And Israeli UAVs to Russia?

Reader UJ points out two stories linking Russia and the Middle East this week:

1. Russia appears to have offered Lebanon 10 MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighter jets. While this craft dates back to the 1970s, it would be a significant improvement on "Lebanon’s depleted and antiquated fixed wing fleet, which today is comprised of some five 1950s-era Hunter Hawker aircraft."


2. Russia is, in turn, in the market for Israeli UAVs.

What's going on? It's surprising that the US and Israel haven't made more fuss about Lebanon's acquisition of Russian MiGs, but our take is that with all eyes on isolating Iran the strategy may be to just let this one be. Furthermore, as the Counterterrorism Blog points out, "it’s hard to imagine how the LAF would finance the maintenance of the Russian aircraft." As for the UAV sale? I can't imagine the US allowing it, but Counterterrorism Blog (in the same piece) is positing that "the Israelis are hoping the UAV sales provide some leverage in helping to convince the Russians to not sell advanced SA-20 anti-aircraft weapons to Iran." Complicated enough?

[Photo via Wikimedia]