Thanks for this. Yours is the most coherent explanation thus far for Putin's actions in Iraq/Syria that I've seen in a while. I think Putin is also testing US resolve to back the Syrian resistance efforts as well. Putin's actions in Syria echo Hitler's actions in the Spanish Civil War. The similarities are too many to explain away as a coincidence. In my opinion.
I do agree that at this time, Putin is only posturing and not intent on war, cold or hot, with the US. He's an evil shit because he's killing people in order to posture for political objectives at home. I hope Hell is preparing a special place for him.
And yes, his Russian economy is not that strong right now. But then again, neither was Hitler's German economy at the time of the Spanish Civil War. His answer was to invade other countries and sack their banks. Those invasions took place well after he saw that his potential adversaries were not serious about stopping him.