Policy
WATCH: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on National Security
Defense One, with the Council on Foreign Relations, is pleased to offer an explainer of the GOP and Democratic candidates’ positions on national defense, Russia, China, and ISIS.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Overview
From chlorine gas to Kalashnikovs, barrel bombs to cruise missiles, the Syrian conflict shows what 21st-century militaries and armed groups can bring to bear.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Small Arms
Small arms were already plentiful in Syria before the war, thanks to years of Soviet and Russian support. More flooded in after the conflict began.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Tanks
In April 2011, the appearance of heavy armor indicated that a violent crackdown had become a full-fledged war.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Artillery
Government forces have howitzers, rocket launchers, even SCUD missiles. Rebels have responded with the improvised weapons called Hell Cannons.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Airpower (Syrian)
The Syrian military began the war with more than 500 aircraft, almost all Russian-made jets, transport planes, and helicopters.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Airpower (Non-Syrian)
By May 2016, the counter-ISIS coalition had dropped more than 41,500 bombs, leading the Pentagon to borrow from stockpiles in other regions.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Cruise Missiles
In this conflict, cruise missiles have largely functioned to remind the world that both the U.S. and Russian militaries have them.
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Weapons of the Syrian War: Suicide Bombers
The tactic is often used in offensive operations, just after an artillery barrage and before the advance of hundreds of foot soldiers.
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