{"id":15472,"date":"2018-04-20T20:03:02","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T20:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/20\/who-learned-more-from-the-strikes-in-syria-america-or-russia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:37:55","slug":"who-learned-more-from-the-strikes-in-syria-america-or-russia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/04\/20\/who-learned-more-from-the-strikes-in-syria-america-or-russia\/","title":{"rendered":"Who learned more from the strikes in Syria \u2015 America or Russia?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/atype-video-jwplayer><\/figure>\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2015 When the U.S., France and Britain launched 105 cruise missiles<\/a> at a trio of Syrian targets April 13, all eyes were on how the vaunted air defense network in Syria would handle the weapon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the crown jewel of that system, Russia\u2019s highly regarded S-400, never fired. And while the older Syrian systems did appear to launch some munitions, the Pentagon claims those systems were not used until after the Western weaponry had already impacted their targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRussian air defenses were energized. They were scanning…. They did not choose to engage,\u201d Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff, said during an April 19 press event. \u201cI can tell you though that the rest of Syrian air [defense] capability, which is completely Russian-made, Russian-designed, Russian-supported, engaged extensively and comprehensively failed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The obvious question that remains unanswered is whether Russia chose not to engage S-400s, or was simply unable to, whether because of American nonkinetic capabilities impacting those system or some other reason. Given the pre-attack notice given by the Pentagon to Russian forces through a deconfliction line, as well as the fact that no strikes were targeted at the air defenses themselves, analysts lean toward the former.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, the fact the S-400 was not engaged means drawing hard conclusions about Syria\u2019s air defense network from the strikes is difficult, said Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\t