Previously I commented that I didn't think the US would act with their only two carrier groups at sea tied up in the middle east and no reserve. Now their assets at sea have more than doubled.
I also said that I thought the US would only act in a way to increase their strategic position.
It seems that Syria is looking more like a US-Russia proxy war. Russia hit back after previous humiliations (eg Kosovo and Ukraine colour revolution) in Georgia and in a small way with Snowden. If US hits Syria it will humiliate Russia and show that Russia is weak and decrease its influence. US could also try to prolong the conflict if it thinks that it is focusing Russia's resources away from Russia's periphery - where Russia has made big gains while the US was tied down in Iraq and Afghanistan (eg clawed back Ukraine, Armenia joining customs Union).
