The Russian missile strikes in Syria come hard on the heels of Vladimir Putin’s speech to the UN General Assembly.
In that speech, Mr Putin made clear Russia’s opposition to so-called ‘colour revolutions’ and the need to continue the fight against terrorists of all stripes.
In Mr Putin’s view ‘terrorists’ in the Syrian context means not just Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), but any anti-government forces.
On Wednesday Russia appeared to target the area around Homs, which is not even considered to be an Isil-held area although it has not confirmed the targets of the strikes.