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

That's true (although in a short time frame), as some of Putin's actions in other areas are definitely worthy of concern, but the Middle East is, and will always be, a hornet's nest. Let them step into that bear trap, not us. The proxies are already set for a long time in that hellhole region. This won't change that.