We see today that Russia intends to give 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to Lebanon as a “gift”.

No strings attached there, obviously.

Mikhail Dmitriyev, the head of Russia’s Federal Military and Technical Cooperation Service, is also quoted as saying Moscow and Beirut are negotiating the sale of armour to Lebanon for its ground forces.

“Russia’s Defense Ministry has decided to supply 10 of its MiG-29 fighters to Lebanon as a form of military and technical assistance,” Dmitriyev was quoted by Reuters.

This is being paid for by Russia’s Defence Ministry.

“We view the Lebanese army as the main guarantor of this nation’s stability, therefore the armed forces of this country must be strengthened,” Dmitriyev said.

Russia has sought to expand its clout in the Middle East and hopes to host a Mideast peace conference next year. It is a member of the so-called Quartet of Mideast Peacemakers, which includes the United States (that gig will be fun under B Hussein Obama), the EU (illegally represented as an entity until Ireland votes the ‘correct’ way’ second time around) and the UN (don’t even start me).