I think it would be unrealistic to expect Russia, with perhaps the second most powerful military, not to seek extension of its sphere of influence. The USA does this continually. Since the fall of the USSR, the American military has edged ever closer to Russia, through Afghanistan, the Baltic States, Finland, and Ukraine.  In the face of the Bush and Obama interventions in the Middle East, there is no earthly reason why Russia should not do the same. Painting Assad as bad, and the Syrian rebels as good, is delusional. So I am glad to see Russia step in, and not let the USA set up another Islamic State under the guise of a so-called Democracy. Don't forget, at bottom, its about oil or religion; two filthy subjects.

As to Cuba, the Castro brothers are presented with a strange proposition considering their incredibly ill-advised choice to have previous Russian military installations. If a present day repeat did not invoke the Monroe Doctrine, it would indicate the USA is finished as a World Power. No US President wants to be that guy. Could two old men in Cuba be so stupid, or would they happily watch their grand and great grand children slaughter each other? I like to think that men whose Revolution was supposed to benefit the people, would think twice.