re: Spinoff: Russia military ascendance. Caspian Fleet bombing Aleppo.

To do what? Attack Saudi Arabia? To prop up Iran? Iran is simply an ally of convenience to Russia because they all rely on oil. They have a mutual enemy in the United Stares but they have no mutual historical or cultural commonality. Iraq and Syria are proxy wars that are simply the hegemonic powers stretching their war fighting capabilities to keep them sharp. And to be honest, outside of the global economic shock, I wouldn't mind if a squadron of Russian bombers lit up Riyadh. We're there because we have to ensure to flow of oil for the global economy, but it's long been past time Saudi Arabia and their exportation of Wahhabism got punched in the nose.

With the exploration and technology of American shale, it downgrades the importance of Middle East oil. Obviously can't cut the spigot off now, but the next 50 years will be won in Asia, not the Middle East.