Ho-hum. Another day, another meaningless warning from the American president. That may well have been Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s reaction to the most recent complaint from President Barack Obama about Russian involvement in Syria.

Moscow is sending new military equipment and troops to Syria, to bolster that country’s embattled regime, a longtime Russian client. Syrian President Bashar Assad has been engaged in a bloody civil war for about four years and has lost large swaths of territory to rebels, including Islamic State terrorists.

Secretary of State John Kerry has called his Russian counterpart at least twice during recent weeks to warn Moscow’s action could lead to an escalation of fighting in Syria.

Obviously, that is Putin’s plan, to help Assad mount a new offensive against the rebels.

Obama himself complained the buildup “could prevent us from arriving at the political solution that’s ultimately needed to bring a peace back to Syria.” Putin can be pardoned for asking just what U.S. diplomatic successes give Obama any reason to think such a peace is possible.

Assad, like his father, has been a brutal dictator who should be deposed – but Obama did nothing to make that happen. Now, he may be the lesser of two evils. Without help, his regime may fall to the Islamic State.

Putin at least is a realist not given to idle threats. He may well thank his lucky stars frequently that Obama falls in neither category in dealing with America’ enemies.