russia saw an opportunity to actually become also significant player in this game by arranging something that perhaps will temper the dynamic toward a regional upheaval and will consolidate russian influence with syrians, with the iranians, and perhaps even with others. there was recently a rather mysterious visit to moscow of a high level adversary from saudi arabia. not that saudi arabia is turning to moscow but that moscow is perhaps a significant player. it is compatible in my view with our interests because i see our involvement in the syrian affair as something very unfortunate, unnecessary and i don't think an attack on syria to strike its chemical assets would be very productive for us. it would not solve the problem. it might ignite a wider regional explosion. so i think there is some compatibility between us and the russians at this stage. >> there is one area where