DefenceTalkItaly’s parliament on Wednesday ratified the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty, which is intended to stop arms supplies to countries at war or that abuse human rights. The treaty was adopted by the United Nations in April to regulate the $80 billion (59 billion euros) annual trade in conventional arms and stop supplies to states where […]https://www.defencetalk.com/italy-becomes-first-eu-state-to-ratify-un-arms-treaty-49214/

DefenceTalkThe potential for terrorist use of chemical agents is a noted concern highlighted by the Tokyo sarin gas attacks of 1995. The events of September 11, 2001, increased congressional attention towards reducing the vulnerability of the United States to such unconventional attacks. The possibility that terrorist groups might obtain insecure chemical weapons led to increased […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chemical-weapons-a-summary-report-of-characteristics-and-effects-49118/

DefenceTalkSyria rebels possess ground-to-ground missiles and sarin, and a UN report on chemical weapons use shows they carried out attacks near Damascus, a high-ranking Syrian security source said Tuesday. “I categorically deny that we have used sarin gas, for the reason that we had no interest in doing so. We were winning in the battlefield,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syria-security-official-says-rebels-have-missiles-sarin-gas-49100/

DefenceTalkA scenario involving potential military action in Syria will not be part of the upcoming large-scale Russian-Belarusian military exercise Zapad-2013, a senior Russian defense official said. “I am taking the full responsibility by saying that the [Zapad-2013] drills will focus on practicing various forms of interoperability between branches of armed forces, including an assault landing,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-syrian-scenario-at-zapad-2013-drills-russia-49071/

DefenceTalkIsrael deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system near Jerusalem Sunday, an AFP correspondent said, as the United States lobbied for domestic and international support for military strikes against Syria. The correspondent said the battery was set up west of the city. A military spokeswoman would not comment on the deployment, saying only that “defence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-deploys-iron-dome-system-near-jerusalem-48977/

DefenceTalk“Will we be helping Syria? We will”, Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following the G20 summit in St. Petersburg on Friday. The US and other countries will put themselves outside the law if they launch a military operation in Syria, Putin added. “I presume that everything concerning the so-called use of chemical weapons […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-help-syria-in-case-of-external-military-strike-putin-48962/

DefenceTalkArab nations have offered to help pay for any US military intervention in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry told lawmakers Wednesday as he sought support for missile strikes. “With respect to Arab countries offering to bear the cost and to assist, the answer is profoundly yes, they have. That offer is on the table,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-tells-us-it-needs-un-approval-for-syria-strike-48960/

DefenceTalkWashington is weighing expanding support for Syrian rebels by having the Pentagon take charge of arming the opposition instead of a clandestine effort by the CIA, officials said Wednesday. “It’s under consideration,” said a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If and how (it would be done) are both questions being discussed,” the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-may-take-charge-of-arming-syrian-rebels-us-officials-48958/

DefenceTalkPresident Vladimir Putin on Wednesday revealed Russia had suspended deliveries of sophisticated S-300 missile systems to Syria even though some components had already been handed over. Western governments have repeatedly condemned Russia for signing a contract to supply President Bashar al-Assad’s regime with the S-300 air-defence systems which are among Russia’s most prized military exports. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-suspends-syria-s-300-missile-deliveries-putin-48952/

DefenceTalkIsrael on Tuesday launched a missile over the Mediterranean in a joint exercise with the United States that came as Washington mulls punitive air strikes on Syria. Speculation mounted after the missile firing at 0615 GMT, with Russia’s defence ministry saying its early-warning system had detected two ballistic missile launches from the central Mediterranean sea […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-says-missile-tested-in-joint-exercise-with-us-48950/