If I were Russian, and my primary concerns were a warm-water port on the Med and control over pipelines, I’d set up Assad and send in the land arms to secure the country. And, I’d treat the US CBW bombing as an annoyance and a necessary concession to what’s left of Western Christian values.
After Syria was a secure client, with my Med port and my pipeline control, I’d relax.
Is my view of the Russian rationale reasonable?
Spot on!
But Putin seems to have become emotionally involved with competing with the US in a graduating series of escalations, instead of seeking a modus vivendi where both countries' interests are respected.
It's not clear to me what Putin sees as the end game here.
You have a good theory. Putin MAY ultimately get what he covets with our help. Even if Assad were removed, Russia may have the upside if they can control who replaces him although Afghanistan proved that may not be so easy.
“Is my view of the Russian rationale reasonable?”
It is both rational and correct.
#11. Sounds like a plan to me. Now if only Putin would listen to you, or is he already? COLLUSION, COLLUSION, Thought Collusion!
Go with domestic fracking. It’s safer economically and sabotage-wise.
After Syria was a secure client, with my Med port and my pipeline control, I’d relax.
Is my view of the Russian rationale reasonable?
The problem I see is that Russia does not border Syria. They need to develop a way to get goods to and from that warm-water port. And all the routes go through mohammedan country. There is no love lost between the islamics and the Russians, as we have seen from the Chechen unrest.