[DoughtyOne]

Technically Afghanistan is part of Asia.

I can’t think of any time Russia put troops into the Middle-East before this.

I’m sure they aren’t timid about doing it though.

I’m also curious why Israel would defend the government of Assad, considering Assad allows Hezbollah to arm with supplies coming through Syria.

Probably figures any situation can get worse.

[grania]

Take a look at the map. There was a danger of ISIS getting a corridor to the Med. If they got that, they'd be able to run cruise ships to places they wanted to overwhelm. Lebanon and Jordan would be next. ISIS would further radicalize the Palis. And Obama would cheer his side on!

If you were Israel, who would you rather have at your northern border? Russia or the US and the "moderates" we trained, financed, and armed?

[silverleaf]

Hezbollah is allowed only so much leeway, then they threaten the interests of both parties

Assad the elder owed Iran many favors for their financial support of his regime over the decades - all he really had to offer was geography

It sure seems like Assad and Israel could live with each other, albeit with mutual distrust and occasional drama

Bashir Assad has only been in office since 2000 ( elected 3 times now) so many people use the name Assad as if he was his father and guilty of his father's repressions, notably against Palestinian camps

He is not - check his education ... Western educated doctor,, was not raised to be the Assad heir but his older brother died

After all, just 10 years ago both Pelosi and Kerry were wining and dining with Mr and Mrs Bashir Assad