Ideologies are real, and they have more influence, generally, than practical considerations, because humans are only sporadically rational creatures.
Not really, even Stalin carried out classic Russian strategic goals of buffer states with Europe and moves towards warm water ports. Even the Afghanistan adventure can be seen as the late USSR moving towards access to the sea.
Yes, sometimes ideology dictates policy but ideology but in this case I see classic "Great Game" politics.
I really don’t care what you think the motivations are, because it doesn’t matter. This move is bad for American interests, no matter what the motive.