There is a more secret aspect of the S-400 that is little disclosed, either within Russia itself or without. It concerns the S-400's ability to collect data through its radar systems. It is worth noting Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon's alarm over Turkey's planned purchase of the S-400:

"We have been clear that purchasing the S-400 would create an unacceptable risk because its radar system could provide the Russian military sensitive information on the F-35. Those concerns cannot be mitigated. The S-400 is a system built in Russia to try to shoot down aircraft like the F-35, and it is inconceivable to imagine."

Certainly, in the event of an armed conflict, the S-400's ability to shoot down fifth-generation aircraft is a huge concern for the United States and her allies who have invested so heavily in such aircraft. Similarly, a NATO country preferring Russian to American systems is cause for alarm. This is leaving aside the fact that the S-400 is spreading around the world, from China to Belarus, with dozens of countries waiting in line for the ability to seal their skies from the benevolent bombs of freedom. It is an excellent stick with which to keep a prowling Washington at bay.

But these concerns are nothing when compared to the most serious threat that the S-400 poses to the US arms industry, namely, their ability to collect data on US stealth systems.

Theoretically, the last advantage that the US maintains over her opponents is in stealth technology. The effectiveness of stealth has been debated for a long time, given that their costs may actually outweigh their purported benefits. But, reading between the lines, what emerges from US concerns over the S-400 suggests that Moscow is already capable of detecting US stealth systems by combining the radars of the S-400 with those of air-based assets, as has been the case in Syria (despite Washington's denials).

The ability of the S-400 to collect data on both the F-35 and F-22 - the crown jewels of the US military-industrial complex - is a cause for sleepless nights for US military planners. What in particular causes them nightmares is that, for the S-400 to function in Turkey, it will have to be integrated into Turkey's current "identification friend or foe" (IFF) systems, which in turn are part of NATO's military tactical data-link network, known as Link 16.

This system will need to be installed on the S-400 in order to integrate it into Turkey's defensive network, which could potentially pass information strictly reserved for the Russians that would increase the S-400's ability to function properly in a system not designed to host such a weapon system.

The final risk is that if Turkey were to fly its F-35s near the S-400, the Link 16 system would reveal a lot of real-time information about the US stealth system. Over time, Moscow would be able to recreate the stealth profile of the F-35 and F-22, thereby making pointless Washington's plans to spend 1.16 trillion dollars to produce 3,000 F-35s.

• Turkish FM rejects US demand to drop Russian S-400 deal - again - 'Nobody can give ultimatum'
• Pentagon: Turkish pilots grounded from F-35 training in retaliation for Ankara's refusal to ditch S-400

Julian Assange will not be executed if he's extradited to the US, Ecuador has reassured the world. This is good news for Assange, who will have a full life to live after completing his 175-year prison term.

The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry announced that no matter what happens to Assange, the UK has promised that it would not extradite him to a country that will kill him. The soothing statement was issued ahead of the first London court hearing to decide if the Wikileaks co-founder will be shipped off to the US in shackles.

Amid so much doom over Assange's fate, it's refreshing to have a bit of optimism coming from Ecuador's conscientious diplomats. After revoking Assange's political asylum and allowing UK authorities to frog-march him out of their embassy, Ecuador is obviously deeply concerned about the journalist's well-being.

Instead of being executed for exposing war crimes, Assange currently faces up to 175 years in prison for publishing factual information that embarrassed powerful people.

• 18 Ways Julian Assange Changed the World
• Glenn Greenwald: US war on Assange a 'blueprint' for criminalizing journalism
• George Galloway: 'Julian Assange exposed great crimes & now a great crime is committed against him'

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