[inglor_cz]

"Was Assad particularly stable?"

Looking at the speed with which the Syrian military now unraveled, the government was an empty shell of its former self.

Russia was in no position to intervene. First, the development was too quick. Second, the best units are on the Ukrainian front and redeploying them would certainly inspire the Ukrainian General Staff to probe the Russian defenses. Third, the Russian general (Kisel) tasked with leading the Syrian detachment was/is an incapable commander, sent there as a punishment.

Russia cannot fight two wars at once.