Russia and al-Assad

What needs to be done? Besides this specific article, what are your thoughts on the entire situation?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/06/world/rapp-syria-amanpour/

ColeTrain: I think involvement is the wrong move.

Russia keeps instigating conflicts on issues of little important in the grand scope of US policy. Getting involved in them is walking straight into the trap they are intentionally setting.

Especially in this specific situation, where NATO nations support of the FSA has been quite controversial.

ColeTrain: Russia took no action until about a month ago, when all of a sudden they started pledging lots of very specific support to al-Assad.

By what I'm sure must be a happy coincidence, Russia started making noise the MOMENT that NATO approved airstrikes against positions known to be occupied by Syrian government forces.

Because of Russia's meddling, Syria has not become Libya version 2.

Important to note: UN resolutions condemning Syria have been repeatedly blocked by not only Russia, but also China. China is neutral on basically every other conflict in the middle east, and for that matter, most conflicts generally. They've been extremely active in supporting al-Assad as well, just in a more quiet way so everyone focuses on Russia instead.

Blackflag: I agree. I don't think US involvement is good most of the time, and certainly not now.

admin: Russia took no action until about a month ago, when all of a sudden they started pledging lots of very specific support to al-Assad.
Lies

Russia was sending araments and intelligence to Assad since 2012. This is the first time they have done direct airstrikes on military targets.

Because of Russia's meddling, Syria has not become Libya version 2.
Right, Syria is the worst event since the Rwandan genocide. That makes them 10 times worst than Libya.

China is neutral on basically every other conflict in the middle east, and for that matter, most conflicts generally
They are not neutral. They have an unofficial voting pact with Russia in the security council.

China rarely votes against Russia, The select times where they didn't both veto resolutions together, China abstained from voting (since only one veto is nessecary)

The power vacuum is already open. The only thing preventing the CIA from blowing Assad's brains out is that such a move would be critical. With the stakes raised, the benefits of blowing his brains out are beginning to outweigh the initial concerns.

Blackflag: Sure, but they've been sending those since before the conflict. That's not a change in policy or an action. These airstrikes are a change.

China almost always abstains because they are neutral. In this case, they specifically made a point of not abstaining. In my reading of the voting history of China, this is actually really unusual. It's not "select times", China abstaining is quite normal.

Blackflag: In my view, anyone who mentions "blowing someone's brains out" as an excuse for war, death, destruction and desecration of Syria is making an emotional response and therefore should not be trusted with a firearm.

admin: Sure, but they've been sending those since before the conflict. That's not a change in policy or an action. These airstrikes are a change.
Russia and Assad's regime had good relations since before 2011, but they definitely ramped up military support several times after the war started, which I consider policy changes.

In my view, anyone who mentions "blowing someone's brains out" as an excuse for war, death, destruction and desecration of Syria is making an emotional response and therefore should not be trusted with a firearm.
The hope is that blowing Assad's brains out would put an end to death, destruction, and desecration. All these factions spent years fighting Assads image as a national hero. It would be nice to finally be gone with him to see what becomes of the power vacuum left behind. I know that many factions would fall apart instantly at a major change in leadership.

Blackflag: Can you name some specifics regarding what policy changes you're talking about?

Blowing ANYONE'S brains out could hypothetically achieve those aims. Heck, you might as well wipe out humanity to put an end to war.

On another note, the Syrian airforce was so damn good already, that it is suprising they even ask for support from NATO and Russia.

To my knowledge, they not only lack the resources to carry out all the missions needed daily, but want to maintain the superb and polished record of their airforce. I have to give credit for General Issam Hallaqs work, and I can't wait for this war to end so we can finally get some opinions on all the shifting military tactics and doctrines demonstrated over the course of the war.

admin: Can you name some specifics regarding what policy changes you're talking about?
Yeah, several times Russia has made deals with the Syrian government to offer varying degrees of support since the war started in 2011.

Blowing ANYONE'S brains out could hypothetically achieve those aims. Heck, you might as well wipe out humanity to put an end to war.
I'll stick with blowing Assad's brains out.

Or... we can make him an ally, which is certainly what he has been acting like in responce to American foreign interests in the Middle East.