>> Remember also that Putin is on side with Iran and Syria.<<

Putin warned against the dangers of Islamic State - that today is against not only Iran and Assad and Russia but also USA and all decent people - already in his 11. Sept. 2013 (!) NYT article, (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&):

“Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the (Syrian) opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.

Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.”

And further:

"It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. "

What was the response? The creation of a situation in Russia's "intimate" neighbour that threatened Russia's only military naval base (Sevastopol in Crimea), to which this time also Putin responded with a "military intervention in internal conflicts in a foreign country", albeit with a comparably small number of people killed.

Yes George, your view there is of what is actually going on.

I think Putin is doing his best and I think he is correct in standing with Syria and Iran and eastern Ukraine people who want to follow Russia and don't want control by Kiev.
Australia did similar for East Timor rebels.

And yes there is security of Russia's fleet at stake.

I think it is obvious the quickest and most humane way to end the present bloodshed would be for the US and allies to team together with Putin and Iran.

Evidence in front of me indicates at least one way to achieve and sustain peace is through development of sustainable productive infrastructure to generate economic growth.
For example there is dire urgent need for whole of water ecosystem management infrastructure to sustain water quality linked to affordable food supply.
All nations could participate because evidence of substance indicates world ocean and lake water quality involves not only food and fertilizer supply but also the ecosystem of the atmosphere on this planet.

New growth at the bottom of the economy will generate new business and employment and income to allow people to buy food and to be consumers of other things needed or affordable.
There is need to grow consumption instead of having more and more poverty impacted and desperate rebels.

The G20 meeting in Brisbane is imminent.
World leaders should join in teamwork instead of following media politics and insulting accusations that cause separateness.