Is Russia Escalating The Conflict In Syria?

Tim Lister, CNN: Why Russia is pressing the 'accelerate' pedal in Syria

(CNN)Two weeks after they started, Russian airstrikes in Syria are ratcheting up -- and are being closely coordinated with regime ground forces as they try to seize rebel-held territory. According to many observers of the Syrian conflict, the next month will be critical, politically and militarily.

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WNU Editor: I do not know if Russia is pressing the "accelerator" pedal in Syria .... Russian forces that are present in the country are limited in what they can do .... but the involvement (as minimal as it is) has had a huge impact .... especially on the U.S. .... Russia's air war in Syria a game-changer for US: experts (AFP). And even though some U.S. pundits are wondering if Russia is looking for a Syrian exit strategy .... Syria Air Campaign on, Putin May Already Seek Exit Strategy (Vladimir Isachenkov, AP) .... my read of the situation is that the Russians are there for the long term.

Update: Are Russia and the US escalating the war in Syria? -- Insider Story/Al Jazeera