You think Russia would attempt defend Syria if we invaded? Their army would have to go over the Caucasus and clean across Georgia and Turkey to even get there. ....and once they arrived they know they'd be slaughtered. Little to gain, everything to lose.
No. Not for a second. Syria isn't worth Moscow. But they give the world wide appearance of it. In this day and age, sometimes that's enough. They want a larger role on the world stage, and going against, even with just the appearance of it, will raise their stature in three quarters of the world.
Correct. Russia would sit out this scenario.....handle it diplomatically (Gag).