In the face of the newly signed treaty allowing the United States to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland, and the Russian-Georgian conflict that, according to Newsru.com (Russian website) saw the use of Israeli military equipment by Georgia, Russia, predictably, is beefing up and expanding its air and sea bases.

The Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov is heading from Murmansk toward the Mediterranean and the Syrian port of Tartus, to arrive on August 23. Accompanying the Kuznetsov is the missile cruiser Moskva and several nuclear submarines.

Early reports indicated that Syria’s President Assad considered granting Moscow’s request for a base for the installation of its Iskandar surface missiles — sophisticated cruise missiles that are extremely hard to detect or intercept — which would put Israel on high alert, as Israel has no defense capabilities against the advanced missile system. A "senior source" in Syria now says that Syria will not agree to deploy the missilels. Nevertheless, the port of Tartus would be the base for the Russian nuclear-armed warships if a mutual agreement with Moscow is reached that would have Syria under a Russian protection umbrella, and allow for generous arms purchases.

President Assad is on his way to Moscow to cement the deal and sources say he intends to also represent Iran’s interests in his talks with Russian leaders. Damascus, and perhaps Tehran as well, is looking to acquire advanced S-300 missiles from Russia, again something that is sure to ignite fierce Israeli opposition. Jordan’s King Abdullah will join Assad in Russia.

There are some reports that view Moscow’s latest redesign of its military plans as retaliation for America’s interference in Europe and Georgia. Some analysts are calling this latest surge a reigniting of the Cold War. But others see it as strategic maneuvers in preparation for all out war in the Middle East.

Whatever the case may be, it is fomented by leadership that does not see the United States as a sovereign nation, but as a instrument of internationalism. As such, U.S. foreign policy has been perverted into an engine of internationalist expansionism that works at cross purposes to the best interests of the nation. The proper foreign policy for a sovereign nation of free citizens would be one that safeguards the interests of that nation's people, i.e., competent national defense against outside threats, but also peace and a policy of non-intervention abroad.