Turkey has officially requested NATO to send them uprated PAC-3 model Patriot missile batteries for deployment along their Syrian border, where al-Assad’s butchery has been spilling across.  I had considered refusing to arm the Turks after they called the Israelis terrorists for the heinous crime of defending themselves against Hamas’ overt terrorist attacks during the just (temporarily) concluded conflict.

Then came this.

The militarization of the Syrian-Turkish border is an alarming signal,” [Russian Foreign Ministry] spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.  “We have different advice for our Turkish colleagues—use their influence with the Syrian opposition to accelerate the start of a political dialogue.

And this:

“…in the military field, what is important is not intentions, but potential.  And when potential increases, the risks grow,” [Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov] said.

If the Russians don’t like a Turkey—which also sits astride the Dardanelles and the Strait of Bospherus—with the wherewithal to defend itself against incursion, then it’s not a bad idea.

NATO should expedite approval and the transfer and deployment of the missile systems.