Putin’s views are indeed global. He sees America as the “sick man of the World”. He believes that the moment is ripe to bring Mother Russia back to its previous “glory”. He sees that Russia ought to get back its status as a global decider through regaining control of its periphery. East Europe will have its turn.
If Putin is not stopped in Syria, as he was not stopped in Ukraine, he will end up reducing Western influence in the region to almost non-existence. Putin’s favorite game is to turn his adversaries’ move to his favor. His point of start is always his adversaries’ moves. He plans his steps based on this frame of mind.
Russia needs its hand slapped, hard.
Russia has crap all for a deployable military. The only reason Russia has any juice at all these days is because we’re still besieged on the domestic front by Cold War wonks who were indoctrinated into utter and complete horror at the mere mention of the Great Soviet Bear.