Navy ready to launch first strike on Syria

[branford]

18. He will have basically declared war against the USA and most of Europe.

Turkey, for good or ill, is a member of NATO (and also has a very large and well trained military of its own). An attack against Turkey by Russia was exactly the type of situation envisioned when NATO was founded. Russia would not only be engaged in a hot conflict with a large number of first-world (some nuclear armed) military powers, they would also manage to re-energize the moribund NATO alliance and provide a basis for unilateral economic sanctions.

If they only attacked Jordan, it would clearly not be as bad as Turkey, but it, too, would most likely ensure a full NATO response as well as further harden the opinion of the entire Arab world against Russia. I don't think Russia or its citizens would appreciate the very increased risks of Sunni-affiliated (i.e., Al Qaeda) terrorism on their own soil.

If Russia wants to openly and directly aid Syria, they could provide additional weapons, equipment and "advisors," or even air cover to protect Assad's forces. However, attacking a NATO member and/or close US ally like Jordan or Israel, many of whom are capable of devastating retaliation without US involvement, would be VERY unlikely, both due to the risk direct harm to Russia proper and its economic consequences.