It is clear that Russia has eclipsed the United States as a power broker in the Middle East. Given the brutal and undemocratic nature of the regimes there, to be sure, Putin’s Russia is a more logical fit. If you’re the type of person whose self-esteem depends to any extent on the figure your country cuts on the international stage (think Lindsey Graham), that probably matters to you. If you aren’t, maybe not.
And so, the question for today is, is the average Russian better off in any material way because Putin has increased Russia’s influence in Syria? It’s hard to see how.