[sauropod]

So, we let the Bear just take over this province and that defenseless state?

Ears has been doing that. A bad strategy.

The Bear is still hungry.

[mkjessup]

So, we let the Bear just take over this province and that defenseless state?

The Soviets tried taking over Afghanistan and that didn't work out so well for them, however the Russians taking over Syria just might be a potential "mission accomplished" photo op for Putin, because unlike Brezhnev, who was in declining health when he ordered the invasion of Afghanistan in '79, Putin appears to be hale and hearty.

Bottom line?

Given a choice between Assad falling and ISIS filling the power vacuum, or Mother Russia and Putin propping up Assad and wiping out ISIS, "I'll go with Door #2, Monty".