The whole Middle East debarkle cannot be understood without first considering Isreal's interests. Syria is an enemy of Isreal and its biggest military threat ever since the 6 day war and Isreal's occupation of the Golan Heights. Isreal's incursions into neighbouring Lebanon were simply to reduce Syria's influence as well as that of Iran's in Lebanon.The current standoff between Isreal (with state of the art US gear) and Syria (with state of the art Russian gear)is being impacted by Syria's Arab Spring which no doubt benefits Isreal.
Russia has a double interest in the Syrian Rigime:- (a) To support it now as friend and customer (b) To divert attention from Iran's nuclear program which benefits Russia economically and strategically.
The cold war may be over but Russia is not dead. In fact if the US is badly rattled by debt which would greatly impair its military capabilities, Russia could re-emerge as a second world military power next to China.
Middle East oil supply is what it is all about. Now that Uncle Sam has secured Iraq's oil and is in bed with Saudi Arabia, Russia has to favour Iran to stay in contention for Iran's massive oil reserves.
