This used to be a threat to the western world in the days of the USSR. Today, maybe not worth any of our blood opposing. That remains to be seen and wont be evident for years. In the meantime, Putin may find meaning himself to the phrase "be careful what you wish for".
Syria been a Russian client state since the 1950s. He is not gaining anything he did not all ready have.
What do you know. We agree on something.
I would love to see Istanbul renamed Constantinopal again. I think that is Putin’s real goal. Who on this forum loves the Turks over Russia?
“(Putin) will continue to try to expand influence into Turkey”
The new situation makes that Strategically much more difficult.
With Russia back as the power behind Turkey’s nemesis, the PKK, they will have a persistent wedge between them - and that wedge will no longer be driving the USA and Turkey apart. Russia and Turkey are back to aiming guns at each other, which drives Turkey into American arms, Erdogan or not.
Long term, Turkey is a much greater geostrategic prize, by far.
We have other Kurdish friends we can still cultivate, like the Peshmerga in Iraq.
Even if the Syrian Kurds affiliated with the PKK must make their terms with the Syrian regime, and the USA does not fund all of their hopes and dreams, they will still remember us as a far better ally than they are accustomed to in that region. We saved them from ISIS, showered them with resources, and did not turn our guns on them when the political winds changed. Unusually good behavior, by Mid-East standards.
Like a Super Hero flying in to save the day, and then just flying away.