Supposed Russian general killed.
Russia and Iran support Assad.
This is more like the nineteenth century's Great Game between Russia and the British empire than anything. But push a few dominoes over and this is more dangerous than folks think.
Russia will protect its markets and its naval bases. Iran sees Syria as part of its strategic positioning: the Assads are Allawites (Shia) in a predominantly Sunni country; Hezbollah is next door in Lebanon.
Turkey, a member of NATO, is between Russia and Syria and is well aware it has that card to play.
Strategic tensions may easily become inflamed.
The poor benighted people should be the main consideration, but it just ain't so in this case.
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