I think you misunderstand Russia’s position vis-a-vis the Muslim world. It is simpler than ours: they have only Sunni enemies, we have both Sunni and Shi’ite enemies (thanks to the Shah having been one of “our bastards” during the Cold War). Russia supports the Syrian Ba’athists and is cozy with Iran, both of whom are more threatened by the “Caliphate” than the West currently is. They recently delivered fighter jets to the Shi’ite dominated Iraqi government.
Should al-Baghadi manage to conquer his purported hometown, his claim to be Caliph would be legitimized in the eyes of a great many Sunnis, including those in central Asia, a strategic disaster for Russia.
Maybe, maybe not.
Obama passed the baton to Putin, so that Russia would now be in charge of Militarily protecting the flow of Arabic Oil to the World.
To Obama, this capitulation to Putin was to demonstrate to all Nations of the World that “The American People” no longer want to be exceptional.
A grateful Putin understands the old saw: “HE WHO CONTROLS THE FLOW OF CRUDE OIL IN THE WORLD, CONTROLS THE WORLD.”
B. Hussein say: “I told you that I would be flexible.”
Speaker Boehner say: “I strongly protest Obama’s capitulation, but I am going to write Obama another Blank Check anyway.”
The GOP-E say:
* “We can’t do anything, until we control everything.
* Never enter into a fight with Democrats unless there is a 100 % chance of winning that fight.”
The people say: “Party ON!”