remember: the s-300s are not the s-400s, which have been such an important (if unreported) factor in the iranian nuclear talks. and, the russians seem just as willing to sell them to the saudis, too.

we don't know how well the syrians are going to use them. we don't know how well the israelis will react to them. we just know that it's a substantive deterrent, once the syrians actually activate them.

they say they're close. we'll see what happens.

i think the russians are focusing more on the election, myself. the israeli military has been pushing back on netanyahu re:iran for years and may be getting fed up with him...

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-military-nearly-ready-to-use-s-300-system-source/