Recently on NPR the program host was discussing the conflict regarding Syria and ISIS. The host and a guest were talking about Russia and the United States' somewhat cooperative role in opposing the threat of ISIS. It was interesting to me that Russia is taking military action against all of the rebel forces in Syria including but not limited to ISIS, and the US is only engaging ISIS. The radio host suggested that this was because Russia has military interest within Syria and the current leader of Syria, Assad, is on good terms with Russia so they want to protect his regime and that the US is purely focusing on fighting the terrorists which is ISIS. I find it hard to believe that the issue is this straightforward.