[Patton@Bastogne]

Obama has given Iraq to the Caliphate, and Syria to Putin ...

after Putin threatened to blackmail Obama’s sorry corrupt ass with Hillary’s e-mails ...

[nuconvert]

Interesting theory, but I think it explains only part of Putin’s reasons for going into Syria

[Servant of the Cross]

The superficial links between the two conflicts [Ukraine and Syria] are obvious. For the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, a ceasefire is holding. This has allowed Moscow to send special forces from Ukraine to Syria. The naval base in Crimea is now used to project Russian power southwards.

I will invade Ukraine, Syria or wherever I choose ... and you will do nothing about it. You are my Boehner/McConnell. Understood?

[G Larry]

Tim rather misses the more obvious point of Putin’s interest in Syria.

But, then, so has the rest of the media.

PUTIN WANTS TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO WARM WATER PORTS.

[Lurkinanloomin]

The real reason Putin is propping up Assad is to prevent a planned pipeline from the Gulf States to Europe. Assad stands in their way.

[McBuff]

There is an important question that must be answered regarding the possibility of good government. As Hamilton intoned in Federalist 1:

It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.

It seems "reflection and choice" are rare notions in that part of the world.

[RC one]

here’s an alternative theory: Putin is attempting to control a much larger slice of the oil and natural gas pie so that, ultimately, he can put an end to petrodollar hegemony which would leave the west devastated and him as master of the universe.

[McGruff]

Ukraine, Syria and Libya. Know what these three countries have in common?

He sure loves to start wars.

[gaijin]

Time magazine exists..?

[Fitzy_888]

Syria boarders the Caucuses, historically part of the Soviet Union. If Russia’s actions in Syria foment strife/revolution/uprising in the Caucuses (remember this is where zealous Chechen Muslims live), that will be the excuse Putin needs to again occupy the Caucuses.

Putin will reassemble the Soviet Union now extending continuously (geographically) through Syria right to the boarder of Israel.

[mosesdapoet]

Time’s Snyder attributes Russian run by Putin motives in simplistic fashion which ignores its desire to control the european energy market by sticking with Assad thus destabilizing energy suppiles from the competing mideast. By getting involved there beside the benefits of reducing the probability of Moslem /Chrisitian religious conflicts within Russia it keeps the Russian market stable.

[JEDI4S]

Putins’ forces also removed the mooslime tar-tars from Crimea removing the threat of them being infiltrated by jihadists.

Didn't want no mooslime presence near his fleet, his oil outlets, nor the belly of the Russian mama land.

There may yet be some tar-tars left in Crimea...but they are just allowed to stay there to make the sauce.

Ahem.

[Chewbarkah]

Snyder errs by assuming Putin is a one trick pony. His strategy in Syria is linked to his strategy in Ukraine; it is a mistake to think it is a copy. It seems to me he wants to undermine Western sanctions over his intervention in Ukraine, first by pointing out the obvious. US-led Western policy in Syria amounts to the same thing as Russian policy in Ukraine.

The US backed the Islamic Spring, a product of which is the anti-Assad civil war, and has (incompetently) tried to arm the anti-Assad “rebels”. (You really think that $500 million went to training 5 “moderates”?). Putin understands US military capabilities and machinations. The US is not really trying to wipe ISIS out, or defeat Assad. Are we not sustaining a “zone of anarchy” indefinitely by the way we are NOT prosecuting the war on ISIS?

How better to show this than to blast ISIS and Al Qaeda “moderates” to hell, and stabilize the area? By ending the refugee crisis? Will Europe quickly figure out who was to blame? (Starts with an O)? Can Europe support sanctions against Russia after Russia quickly “solves” the Syrian problem that Obama obviously sustains? Will Bashar Assad, and every port or resource in Syria be at his disposal after Putin saves his bacon? The US will be humiliated and shown to be a worthless ally in the ME, and Putin will become a major leader in Europe. This is Putin’s chance of a lifetime for a major success for Russia and himself at very little cost. If unsuccessful in Syria, he walks away. He plays this game better than Khrushchev.

[Labyrinthos]

The Soviets have been a controlling influence Syria in one form or another since 1946, and have often stepped in to support the controlling regime. What is really surprising is the number of mental midgets who are shocked by Putin’s move given the long history of Soviet-Syrian relations.