Russia is in Syria and propping up Assad by going after U.S. rebel allies. They will also go after ISIS although that was not their main goal. Their main goal is to take our the rebels and then claim that if the only group willing to kill ISIS is Assad and the Russians. This will ensure Assad's future. What does Russia get out of this? In a word, influence in the Middle East. The reason that is so very important to Putin is oil. Russia is awash in oil and current prices are killing the Russian economy.
Today, Russia is meeting with the Saudi's. Why? The Saudi's are terrified of ISIS and my strong guess is that Russia will offer protection if the Saudi's relent on oil prices.
Energy stocks are surging today as WTI is at $48/bbl. It was $38 just a month or so ago. Brent is over $50/bbl. These prices are still much too low to help Russia out very much. Look for oil to go much higher as Russia imposes its will.
Today, Russia is meeting with the Saudi's. Why? The Saudi's are terrified of ISIS and my strong guess is that Russia will offer protection if the Saudi's relent on oil prices.
Energy stocks are surging today as WTI is at $48/bbl. It was $38 just a month or so ago. Brent is over $50/bbl. These prices are still much too low to help Russia out very much. Look for oil to go much higher as Russia imposes its will.