The Importance of Syrian Conflict550328
In the ongoing conflict in Syria between the Bashar Al-Assad forces along with the rebel army it could possibly have already been observed that "Syrian conflict" became one of the very most crucial cases for your world. Both Vladimir Putin and Obama make their points in showing it is of their countries interests to do something. Therefore, it poses the issue why your situation in Syria is so essential for Russia and the United States of America.
Firstly, it is worth mentioning the strategic geographical and political location of Syria - It has use of Mediterranean Sea and is in the center of four important countries/regions: Israel, Iran, Kuwait and Caucasian states. The 1st 2 of them have hostile relations and also within the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the conflict seemed very plausible. Syria is found between those countries and Iran is their strongest ally in the Middle East, that make them a really strategically located country.
The final two countries, Kuwait and Caucasian states are relatively near Syria. What's important, is that destabilization of Syria as well as the large numbers of Islamic extremist mercenaries (who partly form the rebel army) may have effect on situation in those regions (Kuwait - that's vitally important as it may be your fourth biggest oil exporter to the USA in last fifteen years) and former Soviet Caucasian states, that have already causing problems because of the activity of the extremist groups. Hence, both Russians (avoiding destabilization and increase of influence of extremist groups in Caucasian states - mostly Chechen groups, that are actually Muslim) and USA (supporting Israel against Iran and protecting their economic interest in the guts east) are really concerned with the help syria. Obama feels more pressure than normal from the Israeli government (and apparently the Kuwait government which can be supporting the rebel army from the beginning), who emphasize the specter of Iran for the whole Middle East.
The next, very important aspect will be the control over the med Sea. The Russian Naval Base in Tartus established in 1971 under agreement of Soviet Union and Syrian governments can be basically named as the only opposition to USA/NATO domination on the Mediterranean Sea. In case of failure of Bashar Al-Assad, the use of Russian base could be put under question from the new government. Moreover, Putin would loss his only ally inside the Middle-east region what is more, a return provider as Russia may be the biggest exporter of weaponry for Syria.
Lastly, Barack Obama follows the ideological superiority of USA over other countries thereby feels obligated to intervene in Syria. The conflict in Syria could be described not simply as conflict between Al-Assad and rebel forces, but additionally being a conflict within the diplomatic domination between Putin and Obama. Every possible closure from the Syrian conflict will certainly have major effect on both relations between Russia and USA and the way forward for the center East.