[Marine_Uncle]

So what. Three military ground combat systems that in large numbers if the Russian's where for some strange reason want to invade and destroy the puppet state for the past some fifty years they have held in their pocket, would fine some geopolitical advantage in carrying out is a bit beyond me.
I'm sorry. But your examples in no way impress me in the least.
I do hope in your response, it include the complicated geopolitical moves such government states often take, such as in this case, to simplify a bit, where this will lead in how Russia can manage to keep the Saudi and Qatar nations from obtaining future deals with surrounding nations to install gas and oil pipe lines to Meditorian ports verse Russia with the help of Syria primarily in simple terms within the big equation, prevent them from doing so, and help to support the ongoing deals the Russians seek in this region to establish their preferences for natural gas, primary but not limited to, that benefit their goals on their continent to gain from oil and gas resources.
For me. There are many very complicated ramifications being deliberated in many nations as this crap plays out.
Sorry if I introduce some of the real concerns.

[Greysard]

I'm sorry. But your examples in no way impress me in the least. I do hope in your response, it include the complicated geopolitical moves such government states often take

Well, I don't have all the information. Nobody has. However it's probably safe to say that Russia does not want Jihadists to have Syria. It would immediately mean new terrorist training camps right in the middle of the zone that is hot enough already; it would mean a new threat to Israel (about 1/3 of Israel's population speaks Russian,) and it would mean that Syria becomes a huge - and untouchable - weapon depot for every terrorist that comes along and asks for a gun or a mine or a bomb.

Assad was a good enough client even before. But now he will be an excellent client. If not, he will be replaced, just like Hafizullah Amin was. That was done by old USSR, they were afraid of rocking the boat and they had serious and strong opposition. Today Russia's leadership is younger and much more decisive; at the same time the opposing power has decayed significantly. Russia could have conquered entire Georgia if they wanted to.

how Russia can manage to keep the Saudi and Qatar nations from obtaining future deals with surrounding nations to install gas and oil pipe lines to Meditorian ports

As usual, by solving one problem at a time. Making Syria safe for select businessmen and select projects is one of those offers that are hard to decline. There isn't much of new land showing up on Earth - you have to reuse what is already out there.

There are many very complicated ramifications being deliberated in many nations as this crap plays out.

I hope so. But I don't see Russia as too pacifist. They weren't all doves when they clashed with Georgia. Russian generals have nearly continuous battle experience since Chechen wars (I don't count Afghanistan, it was too far ago.) They may not mind a few thousand boots on the ground, because when one pair of boots lands any quantity of most advanced military hardware may immediately follow - hardware that Syria cannot buy. Most importantly that means radars and SIGINT; then air defense; then safe zones. In the end rebels will be isolated, marginalized, and defeated by lack of supplies. That's not impossible if you own the sky.

So let's wait a bit and see what happens. That's the most reliable way to learn the future :-)