re: What does Russia get out of propping up the Assad regime?

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There is no doubt on the part of our intelligence community that Assad did it, and 90% of the world's nations agree.

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If we had evidence, we would have released it.

In this case we believe it's highly likely that the Syrians used chemical weapons, but we don't "know" that in any real way.

And our belief is colored by our biases. We're primed to believe that the Syrians would do such a thing, to the point where we won't even ask if that scenario makes any sense.

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A Mediterranean port? Not much of a port, and it's not like it's adjacent to anything in Russia.

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The Russians believe that we have torn the region apart, and created threats to their own security. So this an effort to stop that, to end regime change, and stabilize the Middle East.

They're also concerned about the international jihadi movement, especially given their own home grown troubles. They want to destroy ISIS for it metastasizes and threatens Russia directly. They don't want ISIS franchises popping up in Chechnya.

This is also a chance to show that they're a great power, it's a chance to bolster their international prestige.

It's a chance to tweak our noses as well. That's certainly part of it.

It's also a question of honor. They're standing by an ally.

The basing facilities are probably the least important reason for intervening.

I believe it has to do with a pipeline, oil and a considerable amount of revenue for Russia and its ability to strengthen its status in the world.