[ChicagahAl]

Why Is Putin Sending Troops to Syria?

1. Because Obama tried to help the Muslim Brotherhood overthrow Assad.

2. Because Assad is the lesser evil compared to the Muslim Brotherhood.

3. Because doing so will increase Russia's power and influence in the Middle East.

4. Because when Assad finally goes (natural causes, or whatever...), Russia will be in a position to choose his successor.

5. Because Obama will not oppose them.

6. Because "Why not"?

[Greysard]

7. Because the army should be supplied with realistic training and targets that shoot back, even though that costs some serious money and is bound to incur losses. An army that is sitting in barracks for decades cannot be an effective force. Russia will rotate a whole lot of crews through this conflict.