Limited options for West after Russia escalation in Syria

Blind-sided by Russia's sudden escalation in Syria, Western powers must abandon hopes of toppling the regime and instead make do with steering Moscow away from actions that deepen the conflict, analysts say.

The strategy of the United States and its allies looked uncertain long before Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to dramatically increase his military involvement in Syria in recent weeks. 

The West's strategic shortcomings were demonstrated by the disastrous $500-million (440-million-euro) US programme to train and arm moderate rebels, which generated only a handful of fighters, many of whom surrendered or were captured almost immediately. The scheme was finally scrapped on Friday.

The confusion has looked all the greater since the start of Russia's far more clear-eyed engagement in support of its old ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia has flexed its muscles with repeated air strikes and the launching this week of 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea.

The message goes beyond the immediate concerns of the Syrian conflict, he said. 

Since the Gulf War in 1991, the West has prioritised control of the skies -- a fact that Russia is trying to challenge.