[muawiyah]

Russia, under Putin, but probably influenced by some pretty good analysts, is seeking to become the great protector of Christian Orthodoxy in the world.

There aren't a whole lot of them left in Syria, but Assad's Alawites are considered their local protectors against the Sunni Moslems.

Russia now needs to move in on the Copts in Egypt and assorted residual Orthodox congregations hither and yon around the world.

[chrisser]

Could it be that those WMDs that weren’t in Iraq before they weren’t moved to Syria have a bunch of cyrillic fingerprints?

Nah. Everyone knows there were no WMDs in Iraq. Bush lied, etcetera etcetera.

[doorgunner69]

The balance owed Russia for goodies supplied my tell the tale. No Assad, no more payments?

[aposiopetic]

telling the world that neither the UN, nor any other body or group of countries has the right to decide who should or should not govern a sovereign state

Sounds like Alabama's reaction to the Agenda 21 nonsense.

[Bratch]

Sovereignty, to the Russian leadership, means an unlimited license for governments to do as they please within their national borders.

Okay, what am I missing here?

This seems eminently reasonable.

[VeniVidiVici]

Russia's simply not going to give up a naval base in the Mediterranean.

[ozzymandus]

Putin is stirring up trouble. I really doubt if he is worried about protecting Christians.

[onedoug]

Because the Russians usually maxamize evil. Though actually, as the opposition to Assad is still islmaist, what damned difference does it make?

[SeaHawkFan]

Sadly, Assad is better than whoever might replace him.