Here is what I don’t get so far in the chess match.....why does Russia or anybody for that matter give a hoot what goes on in Syria? Why is Syria Russia’s line in the sand?
Why Does Russia Support the Syrian Regime
On the surface it appears that it's all about the Money
Assad is bath party aka communist.
Ports are key
In addition, Russia has its own problems with Islamists in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and it fears rebellions similar to Syria’s breaking out in such areas as Dagestan, Abkhazia, Ingushetia or Chechnya. By supporting its ally in Syria, the Kremlin is sending a strong message to dissident groups that might want to fight unpopular governments within the Russian federation. The Syrian regime also provides Russia with a key strategic asset: a deep warm-water port at Tartus. The lack of such a port has plagued Russia’s global ambitions for centuries and is said to be one reason behind its invasion of Afghanistan.
The importance of the port may not be as great as it was in Soviet times, but unfettered access to the high seas remains a driving force for Russian strategic thinking as Russia’s main ports are either ice-locked for much of the year or land-locked by straits controlled by other powers.
Tartus, which garrisons Moscow’s growing Mediterranean fleet, is worth defending for the Kremlin. The recent shipment of arms delivered to the port underscored Russia’s commitment to its multibillion-dollar arms deal while ignoring an E.U. arms embargo. The port is being upgraded to accommodate larger vessels, as Assad declared the port will eventually be home to some of Moscow’s nuclear-armed warships.
Syria might be the best paying customer for Russian arms.
I think the interest is mostly economic
Russia stands to lose business, money and influence, in the middle east with the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood Caliphate, and the Christian civilization (which Russia is rejoining), stands to lose everything.
The Real Reason Putin Supports Assad:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3001087/posts