Regarding the bases in Syria, why not?
At last. Now you're talking. Why go on about ISIS and all that and just not say you'd like to keep your bases on the Med? You have done. No problem, I fully agree with you, they are strategically invaluable. It's just the smokescreens the Kremlin keep putting up!
As for point 3, you are advised to study the geography and variety of the armed groups in Syria.
The Russian Defence Ministry said their mission was to target ISIS. They lied. The initial Russian bombing campaign
helped ISIS as the rebels retreated in the face of the bombing.
As you have tacitly admitted, the mission is to keep Assad in power for the reasons you outlined previously -- you like your bases there and he'll let you keep them.
Not that it matters, but I was equally as critical of the second Gulf War when it was a (sizeable) minority view. It's not just the Kremlin that lies.