Official: U.S. military updates options for possible strikes on Syria

[branford]

4. Are you implying that Russia would strike Israeli targets

in response to a American attack in Syria, or even to dissuade an American strike?

If so, how exactly would that advance Russian interests? It would guaranty the direct and active Israeli involvement in Syria, and with it, Assad's death or removal and the end Russian influence in the country.

Although I very much doubt an American attack in Syria is imminent, Russia has been trying to de-escalate the situation in order to protect Assad and their economic interests in the country. Open and direct Russian military action, no less a preemptive attack against a well-armed (nuclear armed!) American ally, would be absurd, particularly since an American missile strike would not be designed to remove Assad from power.