From: "Phil Payne" 

> I hope we are not repeating this mistake in Iraq. Give them Russian
weapons to use in
> their civil war after we are gone. Reserve our weapons for the Kurds.

Is that wise?  Surely if they're equipped with US weapons, they will become
ineffective far sooner because of a lack of spares?

I've always thought that Russian gear was designed for the military,
whereas US equipment was designed to require as much maintenance and spares
as possible to serve the industrial complex.

Whether or not that is true, they would certainly find spares for Russian
kit easier to obtain or manufacture.  One of the critical components of the
AK47 is a piece of bailer twine.

> Did you know that Hugo Chavez is talking about selling F-16s to the
Iranians?

Old news, and a negotiating position at best.  What value are such things
without a guaranteed spares channel?

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