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"But having a country like Russia step in and gain such huge strategic advantage over the US and it's allies is nothing we should be cheering about. "

I don't see that Russia has gained a major new ally in the region...unless it's Iran.

They have always had alignment and alliance with Syria.

What's really different here is the fact the USA, under Obama, has been totally out maneuvered, on a grand scale.

It may result in a permanent realignment of alliances in the Middle East.

Israel declines to criticize the Russian presence and airstrikes.

Egypt supports.

Merkel and EU members of the coalition stating Assad must be at the negotiating table.

And the US/Qutar/Saudis isolated.

It's the "political defeat" that has strategic implications, not modest Russian forces in Syria. And they are modest, at best.

"But having a country like Russia step in and gain such huge strategic advantage over the US and it's allies is nothing we should be cheering about."

I don't see that Russia has gained a major new ally in the region...unless it's Iran.

By "huge strategic advantage over the US and it's allies" I was referring to them setting up strategic positions in the Middle East, as well as 'acquiring' great wealth from those nation's natural and other resources.