Navy ready to launch first strike on Syria

[branford]

33. Have you been listening to what's been coming out of Turkey lately?

Also, Turkey could not possibly let a direct and open attack on its soil go unanswered, particularly with the backing of the USA, Britain and France, as well as most of the rest of Europe.

This is precisely why Russia would never attack Turkey. The risk of even an "minor" strike could easily spiral out of control. Putin may support Assad for political and economic reasons, but he is no fool, and would never risk the loss of many dead Russians and a wrecked economy.

There is a reason why large, often nuclear, powers act through client states and parties. Jordan MAY be a better target, but given US interests in the region, the results would be little different than Turkey. Attacking nuclear armed Israel, who does not even support the rebels, would be even more absurd.

Russia has a number of options to assist the Syrian regime, even in the event of more open, military support for the rebels, but will not incur any direct risks to Russia for Assad.