Assad wants to be something other than a puppet, and the Saudis are offering him a way out. If that were not the case, the meeting wouldn't have been between the intel/security chiefs of both nations. He wants the Russians out, because they won't push to get the Turks out. The Iranians want the Turks out, but Assad also wants the Iranians out, and out of Lebanon (but one thing at a time). Assad's only alive because the Israelis don't want him dead, and in the back of what passes for his mind, he must know that.
Let’s see. Saudi Arabia hates Iran. Iran hates Israel. Israel bombs Syria. Saudi Arabia will soon recognize Israel and Syria. What are we missing?
I guess if I were Assad I’d prefer to be a Saudi puppet to being an Iranian one