@dave It wouldn't be surprising, though. Right now, both Russia and Iran (his chief allies and supporters) are preoccupied with other wars. I imagine he's been calling for help pretty often the last few days. Once Mr Putin decides you're a liability, you're going to fall out of a window or accidentally ingest radioactive metals, unless you make it easier by flying near an area where anti-aircraft missiles exist.

Assuming, of course that Assad was on that plane.