At some point, yes. but they will start with the obvious choice of Su-30MKP(?) in few years once the embargo on offensive weapons is completely lifted.

They will buy the best they can get as soon as possible. No telling if the current detente will last. Its only a question of what the Russians will agree to and how soon they can deliver.

Assurances to Israel essentially preclude an F-35 deal with usual Middle East clients (Saudis,ect.) until the mid-2020’s at the earliest(Israel is pushing for a “never” clause- which is worthless anyway). Short of something that would upset the balance (like the unlikely sale of Chinese J-31 to Iran), the U.S. will not export the F-35 to the any Middle East clients outside of Turkey and Israel.

It’s inevitable that Iran will buy a 5th gen fighter. Most likely Russian, so it’s also inevitable at some point Middle East buyers will get the F-35.

I’m going to say the Saab/ROK stealth project is going to fail and Sweden is going to break a major precedent and buy F-35 once PAK-FA nears production.

Vietnam’s procurement problems lie with their lack of funding rather than China’s diplomatic vigor. I would say lifting of the embargo probably has more to do with American desire to gift Vietnam some free or below market-price gear, similar to recent transfers to The Philippines. It’s aimed more at annoying China than having meaningful impact on the balance of power.

This has nothing to do with Ukraine. Its also not relevant to bring up Russian weapons used by ISIS, as Russia have an entirely different relationship with that organization, why would anyone one even make that connection?

I was simply stating the obvious, that the Kurds who filmed this did so to insinuate ties to Russia, they did so effectively, and it is not in Russian interest to dispell it. This was followed by a whole lot of complaints that there are alternate sources for Iglas. No one cares if Russians are helping the Kurds against Turks. Someone is always helping one side or another in that region, its not news.

Do you really believe that? Then look up some videos of cheering Ukrainian crowds welcoming advancing Wehrmacht in 1941.. Your effort to blame it on Putin is moving but this thing is far bigger and older than him..

Everything I say is sincere. You can hardly blame Ukrainians welcoming the Germans after the Holodomor. By the time of the Soviet dissolution relations between the two people have all but amended and in most cases there was very warm fraternal ties. This drudging up of ancient enmities is a reflection of change of aspirations in the present, and is not an experience unique to the Slavs.

It’s funny that you think that letting Ukraine just go and accepting some NATO airbase or naval base on Crimea few years later would be “a win”..

While there are those in NATO who may want this and encouraged Maidan, that’s quite a leap to imagine the West was united in an effort to militarily confront Russia at the earliest convenience, or even that such enthusiasm existed among most Ukranians, let alone Crimeans.

Most Russians I’ve met have a pretty keen instinct when it comes to sensing when they’re winning or losing. I can’t imagine they truely feel this is a game of chess they’ve played well. If you’re arguing that this is simply the best possible outcome given the hand Russia was delt, all I see are missed opportunities of recent decades.

No indication about that, whatsoever.. There are virtually dozens of sources for such MANPADS, incl. looted stocks from Libya, Iraq or Syria..

Okay here comes the plausible denials… this is not The Hague, no one really cares. Even if it weren’t the case every Russian wishes it was and it’s certainly in Moscow’s interest that people think they did. Its pretty clear that’s the message the Kurds were sending. And whatever protestations to the contrary, everyone on this forum already accepted it.

At this point let’s move on to ask the more interesting question if this was a one time retaliation or a harbinger of wider Russian support in future operations against Turkey.