I think there is a plan taking shape that will allow Russia to have what it has always sought: A warm-water port and harbor for its naval vessels. Right now the best they have is in Crimea on the Azov Sea. With the assurance that the US and Turkey will not interfere, Russian troops could push south through former Soviet territories in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to reach Syria.
Trump & Putin appear to be setting up a situation where Russian forces could occupy Syria, overwhelm ISIS, and operate their port in Tarsus, Syria. Trump's decision to remove US troops from Syria appears to be a first step. Putin can have his warm-water port, and the oil in southern Iraq could be commandeered by the US, Russia, or both, leading to further disputes.