I think Putin is more interested that the gas pipeline through Syria to Europe, which Assad is against, will not happen.
Or bet his cards on Putin and hope he will wipe Syria out of his opponents, under the pretence it's for the best of the people.
Putin seems to be the only leader with a memory. What happened in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Egypt when a long standing brutal dictatorship was removed. How many Iraqis, Egyptians are saying that things were better / safer under the old regime? What makes western leaders think that you can just parachute democracy into a political vacuum and it will work?
Now China is in it as ISIS has claimed they killed a Chinese National ! They are considering coordinating with Russia. Perhaps they will send in their Peace core......
Wrye Well thought out and well said. Your entire take on the situation is meticulously planned out. It is obvious you have a handle on the situation. Like you, I do believe Russia will play a pivotal role in this calamity with ISIS along with the help of the French. As you mentioned, the Russians are brutal in times of war and that is what it takes to beat these barbarians IMHO.