"Yes but doesn't it worry you that Russia is teaming with the likes of Syria and Iran, who are pulling all kinds of strings in the region, some of them connected to proscribed groups who we would count alongside AQ as our enemies."
Substitute the US and Israel for Russia and Syria / Iran and all the US's allies in Arabia could say the same thing.
So it works both ways.
No, it is NOT about a warm water port and your reasons are as good as any.
And I think Putin, having got Obama's measure and being snubbed again
is quite happy to "turn the screws" on Obama and make him look a fool.
It is a game that Putin plays very well and Obama mis read it.
After all, re Syria and putin playing games, what is the worst that can happen ?
The US still fire off a few cruise missiles at Syria ? That would be called acceptable collateral damage in Putin's eyes. Russia is never in Danger here.
And if the US does nothing, all he has done is won another round of
the game of ping pong brinkmanship.
Obama should never have snubbed Putin or got on the wrong side of him.