[grania]

why not just send them back to Syria

That's what I said. Set up safe zones, no weapons, anyone starts anything shot on sight. Who's going to do it? Regime change started this mess, and that's the brainchild of the US and our allies.

[Liz]

Hugin Posted: Syria has been Russia’s ally/client for over 50 years. The Russians, whatever their flaws, stick with their allies until the last dog dies......plus there is no secular opposition to Assad. Whatever there was wouldn’t have lasted two minutes against ISIS. There are only assorted jihadists.....and Assad.

Whatever his public image portends, Putin is consistent---if nothing else.

Putin also decried Muslims' wanton slaughter of Christians in Egypt and defended Egyptian President al-Sisi in his efforts to drive the Muslim Brotherhood out of Egyptian politics.

Putin was there for al-Sisi when al Sisi vowed to rebuild the 63 churches torched by Christian-hating Muslims who rampaged over Christian homes and businesses in Egypt.