Russia is back in the Assad support business:
On Friday, the Russian military said its air force is now focusing on supporting the Syrian army's offensive in Deir el-Zour. Syrian government forces control around half the city and a nearby air base, both of which are besieged by the IS militants.
For a while it seemed like Russia was refusing to help Syria's Assad advance to the east in order to thwart Iranian ambitions to strengthen its position in the region by building a land line of supply from Hezbollah in Lebanon back to Iran.
Has Russia abandoned its opposition to Iran's goals for the supply line and for domination in Syria?
Or does Russia figure that America and Saudi Arabia will ultimately block the land line of supply by pulling Iraq away from Iranian influence?
