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The World This Week: Russian warplanes use Iranian airbase

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Russian warplanes use Iranian airbase

20/08/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - The World This Week, Russian warplanes use Iranian airbase

Iran is letting Russian aircraft use one of its bases. It's a big change. Why?

Iran used to boast that it wouldn't permit foreign forces on its territory - unlike some of its neighbours. This week though, in a big change, Russian warplanes have started using an Iranian airbase for attacks on Syrian targets.  This, despite Iran recently opening up to the West. Steve Rosenberg and Pooneh Ghoddoosi try to explain what's going on.  Also in this programme/podcast: Shaimaa Khalil argues in favour of the much-criticised burkini; the Philippines' new strongman president tries to make peace with Muslim rebels; and what's really going on with that apparent leak of malware from the US's electronic intelligence spying agency? Our technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones peers into the murky world of espionage.
Photo: A Russian bomber releases bombs over Syria after taking off from the Hamedan airbase in Iran.
Credit: Russian defence ministry via EPA

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