Saudis want the pipeline through Syria to supply Europe. Russia doesn’t want it. Russia supports Assad. We tried to take him out. International chess.
Yep, from a political standpoint I can agree. Also the US was getting nervous about Putins relationship with Europe as it was growing and developing quite well. Even the G-20 and G-8 Summits and others were being hosted by Russia.....and in fact Obama was clearly irritated by that.