Syria is still a sovereign country, yes? Despite the fact that "we" wanted to bomb the crap out of Assad a year ago, he is still the legitimate leader of Syria, and he has invited the Russian government to assist in his defence against Rebel (CystISIS / Other) forces. Yes?
So if Coallition forces start invading Syrian airspace, Assad has every right to defend, and given Russia has been invited to the party by Assad, for Russian forces to intervene on Assad's behalf. No?
Now I'd guess Assad has either been unable, or unwilling to intervene himself, and because much of the coalition action has been against CystISIS, Moscow has probably been a little ambivalent to the prospect of intervening. However now a coalition partner has decided to shoot a Russian aircraft out of the sky, wherever that may have taken place, it would be fair they may be a little less willing to allow intervention in a sovereign country it's been asked to help protect.
So Tourist
The US could still wipe out their little force in a morning, they just now have a little chance to sting in the process.
And to be honest, the Turks have the capability too.
Why the hell would they do that?! a MASSIVE, basically unwarranted escalation, directly against a sovereign state that's been invited by the host state to protect it! That's the quickest route to WW3!
and Pr00ne,
Just This Once,
Because we are bombing IS, they too are bombing IS, amongst others, so why does the deployment of a defensive SAM system present a threat to us?
A "Coalition" aircraft has just shot a Russian aircraft out of the sky, they perhaps might be a little less willing to turn a blind eye to Coalition aircraft invading the country they've been asked to defend?
Hopefully not however.
but Turkey look like the kind of ally many people could do without.