HERE'S HOW TO MAKE A RUBLE AND SHEKEL OR TWO!

(1) Russian sells Syria yet more very expensive missiles. (2) Israel comes along yet again and takes 'em out. (3) Mr Putin's export department - having been passed quite a number of Syrian gold bars in payment for what seems to always turn out to be scrap, inquires of Mr Assad if he would like a further shipment. Score so far: Russia 2 Israel 2 Syria 0.

So Vlad, it's a deal: Russia gets 60% we get 40.