Făkünamę wrote:That may be so, but a move against Syria by the U.S. would be a direct move against Russian interests as they've been strengthening their ties with Syria for the past decade and rebuilding their naval base (which is their only remaining foothold in the Mediterranean) to accommodate their larger warships. I don't see them taking a strategic loss like that lightly, to say nothing of the Islamic countries in the region.
A U.S. lead invasion of Syria could only worsen the already tenuous relations Russia has with the western bloc and further destabilize the middle east. Syrian-Russian relations are already quite strong and I don't see how a Russian intervention will change anything on those lines. The benefits include avoiding inciting aggression against the U.S., pacifying the Russians who are already up in arms about the increasing influence of the U.S. in their backyard, resolving the issue to the general satisfaction of the public with an international oversight committee and a cessation of regional hostilities, as well as de-escalating the popular perception of the U.S. as interfering in internal conflicts (i.e. the global police no one voted for). A Russian peace keeping force would be there at the invitation of the government of Syria, which is already predisposed to co-operate with them, and is likely not to make waves. The only reason for the U.S. to invade, as far as I can see, is to further their dreams of empire - which makes them little better than your vision of Russia.
Other than some of the ex-Soviet republics in central Asia, most Islamic countries would find probably little common ground with Russia in this or in many other matters. Russia's strong relationship with Syria has nothing to do with long-standing cultural ties or suchlike - it's mainly down to the current Syrian regime. Back in the day, the old Soviet Union had a strong relationship with many second/third world countries. Many of those went by the wayside, not just because of the collapse of communism, but also for other geopolitical and even localized reasons.
I don't really know where this "vision of Russia" business comes from. Nor does the USA want to
invade send ground troops into Syria, given its recent experience elsewhere. The same would apply to the UK, France, etc. If they didn't put boots on the ground in Libya, then Syria is off-limits.
God has no place within these walls, just like facts have no place within organized religion. - Superintendent Chalmers
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
