Russian footholds in Mideast, Africa raise threat to NATOBy ELLEN KNICKMEYER and ZEINA KARAM - Associated PressUncredited - hogp, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service FILE - In this image from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Feb. 15, 2022, Russian Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, listens to Syrian President Bashar Assad during their talks in Damascus, Syria. Uncredited - hogp, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service FILE - In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet carrying a Kinzhal missile takes off from the Hemeimeem air base in Syria on June 25, 2021. Uncredited - hogp, Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service FILE - In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, second right and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, Brazil's Foreign Minister Carlos Franca, left, and Brazil's Defense Minister Walter Souza Braga Netto, second left, talk before talks in Moscow, on Feb. 16, 2022. Uncredited - hogp, Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service FILE - In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, second right, and the U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, left, attend the talks in Moscow, on Feb. 23, 2022. Uncredited - hogp, Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service FILE - In this photo released by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Sudanese Foreign Minister Maryam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi arrive to attend talks in Moscow, on July 12, 2021.

Source: Libya Today March 12, 2022 15:37 UTC