I don’t doubt that Putin would play both sides against the middle. However, long term, I think that he realizes that Russia’s interests align more with us than with radical Islam. He knows that if radical Islam isn’t controlled, Russia will be torn apart by its Islamic minorities. This is a far more immediate concern for him than engaging the U.S. in a race for geopolitical influence.
~However, long term, I think that he realizes that Russia’s interests align more with us than with radical Islam.~
Look back to 2001-2004. It has been played already.
This just seems very stupid to say. Islamic terrorism is a creation of the KGB. Very likely Russia is still in control of world-wide Islamic and Communist terrorism. But Putin realizes that his interest align with us and against the Islamic terrorism he controls?