As for Syria. IIRC, back in the 60s, Syria was considered a Russian “puppet” after the French left. Egypt too during Nassar.
America is trying to play the Great Game that the British and French played with the Russians back in the 19th century. There is no reason we should play. We should support Israel as we have done since 1948 as well as though countries that are at peace with Israel such as Jordan and now Egypt and even Saudi Arabia it seems.
As for Iran...A secular republic friendly to Russia would not frighten me at night. We screwed it up by installing the Shah that later decided to go medieval on his people. I remember student friends here in the 70s fearful of the Savak even in the United States. I would prefer Iran friendly to both the US as well as Russia, but I understand Russia's concern as it is on its southern border. This is the reality, the realpolitik as Henry Kissinger might say.
Russia is not our friend, but they do not have to be our enemy either.
There nothing in your post with which I would disagree.
Wrt the Crimea, the Russians fought a war over it against the British, the French and the Ottoman’s justifying their involvement as protectors of Christianity. But you probably know all that.
The Soviets created the Ukrainian state.
The CIA was responsible for all that, as they were with trying to defeat Trump, and Reagan for that matter. The deep state took control when JFK died.
That’s all over now for the most part. It’s been the CIA vs. the military and the military finally won. Yeah, they’re fighting for us.