Flame Virus Attack on Iran and Syrian Assad Regimes Downfall: A Show of Russian Assertion Of Geopolitical Muscle In the Middle East

Recent reports on the Flame virus describe it as "the most sophisticated cyber weapon yet unleashed."  It’a main target seems to have been Iran beginning in 2010 and was of such sophistication that only a state funded long term program would have been able to develop such a massive instrument of cyber warfare. Same as the previous and 20 time smaller Stuxnet virus which infiltrated Iran nuclear enrichment facilities the main culprits are the United States and or Israel. 

The discovery of this weapon in Russia by Kaspersky Lab a multination internet-cyber protection company leads many to believe its discovery is a chess move of recently reelected Russian President Putin’s geopolitical chess game with the west.  It seem implausible to many that the discovery of such a weapon by a Russian Cyber firm would not pass through the lines of communication up to the upper reaches of the Kremlin before being reported to the outside press which in Russia mostly a state owned and controlled entity.

  

Of Particular concern within the Russian ruling class is the increasing probability of Assad’s downfall in Syria, the implications of which would drastically deplete Russian influence in the Middle East. Recent news on the savage killing of more than 100 noncombatant men, woman, and children in the Syrian village of Hseems to have hastened Russian’s role in attempting to prevent is allies downfall. 

The “discovery” of Flame may be an attempt by Russia to send a message to the West, back off of Syria if not we will deteriorate your cyber war capabilities in Iran.