One of the strategic downsides of the war in Ukraine is the isolation of Russia. This isolation forces Russia to rely on their rather dubious allies and do deals that are not in the best interests of anyone. You may well think, how is this a downside, sanctions against Russia are justified and I agree with such a view. However, there are also unintended consequences to these justified sanctions and this could have long term consequences for the rest of the world,

Russia may now supply more advanced weapons to Iran, Syria, North Korea and Cuba as part of the deal to supply essential weapons to their war effort. Due to their production constraints, Russian weapons production has a number of constraints placed on it. However, the Russian economy is still able to produce artillery shells and we have seen so tremendous amounts of munitions expended over the year long war with Ukraine.

What Russia cannot supply is technological weaponry, whilst they had a vast supply of missiles in reserves, we have seen their aircraft failing, their navy ineffective and their logistics disaster. Russia is pulling 1960s vintage tanks out of storage to be sent to the front. Russia has a vast population compared to Ukraine and has no issues throwing human lives into the conflict despite massive losses.

So, what is the problem then? With Iran supplying drones and other technological weapons Russia cannot produce, the one technology they crave that has been previously beyond their reach is nuclear weapons. If the Russian leadership, I use that term with a degree of contempt, agrees to share nuclear technology and knowledge with Iran, the world is now a much more dangerous place.