August 10, 2007: Russia has announced its intention to again maintain a permanent naval squadron in the Mediterranean. Russia has not done this for nearly two decades. The squadron would be based in Syrian ports, which is apparently part of an arms purchasing deal. Weapons for basing rights, or something along those lines. It is feared that Syria is acting as a front for Iranian arms purchases, but everyone denies this.

The Russian squadron would probably consist of a few surface warships and a submarine.