Is the USA now arming both Assad and 'The Rebels'??

If I'm reading this article correctly -
The Pentagon, under the Obama Administration, has a helicopter contract with a Russian company.
This same company is supplying the Syrian Assad regime.
Russia claims the company's arms cannot/will not be used against Syria's civilian population.
They say these arms will only be used in Afghanistan.

Does anyone believe the Russians assurances ??
Does this mean that the Obama administration is really arming both sides in Syria?
Or am I reading this all wrong? (Which could be the case ... it's so convoluted)
Or is this story complete B.S. and just hype?

Senator rips Pentagon over contract with company arming Syrian regime

A Republican senator blasted the Pentagon after it entered into a new helicopter contract with a Russian company which is supplying the Syrian regime -- even as the U.S. moves to arm the Syrian opposition.

The contract was announced Monday with Russian arms firm Rosoboronexport, for military helicopters that will go to Afghan security forces. The Pentagon argues the helicopters are the only option, but Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is adamant that the U.S. find an alternative considering the company's ties to the Bashar Assad government in Syria.

There is more information at the article, but we can only post a few paragraphs here.

Our government has a long history of playing both sides against the middle they do it both foreign and domestically.

Which creates more problems than they are worth.

Yeah America isn't the only country who does that btw.

reply to post by FlyersFan
It wouldn't surprise me! It's called "hedging your bets" or "playing both ends against the middle". No matter who comes out on top you have supported the winner and can use that to your advantage when the smoke clears. It's a tactic as old as conflict itself.

reply to post by FlyersFan


The contract your article is discussing is for Russian made helicopters that the US is buying to supply to Afghan security forces. What the Russians do with the money used to purchase them has no bearing on Obama or his administration. They aren't arming Assad, only supplying the rebels with arms and training so they don't end up getting slaughtered by an organized force.

US, the number 1 arms dealer in the world, is providing weapons to EVERYONE!!

Even Mexican cartels.