Russia to Sell 36 Fighter Jets to Syria: Reports

What better way to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Syrian uprising?

It's been just short of a year since the Syrian uprising began, and it shows no sign of abating yet. Certainly not helping the protesters' efforts is news that Russia is selling 36 fighter jets to the Syrian air force. The move, almost literally, flies in the face of international attempts to isolate the Syrian regime amidst a brutal crackdown that's claimed nearly 6,000 lives. A Russian newspaper cites anonymous officials saying that 36 Yak-130 fighter jets could soon be on their way to Syria for the tidy sum of $550 million. The Yak-130 is a relatively new aircraft, as it was first used in official missions by the Russian air force in 2010. And while it's designed as a trainer airplane for other, more lethal aircraft, the Yak-130 can be outfitted for reconnaissance and light-attack missions, making it a handy little machine for, oh, say, strafing crowds of protesters or convoys. Libya had also signed up for an order of them back before things went south for the Gadhafi regime and the deal fell apart. Either way, thanks, Russia, for marking the one-year anniversary of the Syrian uprising with this gesture. We're sure millions of Syrians feel the same way.