Yes the US intel and the WH know about the Russian flights into Syria.
To deny the first time leads one to the question--why??
Now they do because the social media has pounded this theme for the last three days.
US official confirmed that "Russia has asked for clearances for military flight to Syria"
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/wh....XI90ZZDJ.dpuf …
Secondly the just released new US sanctions on the Russian weapons exporter is for their weapon shipments to Syria, Iran and North Korea.
This came in via social media this morning----
Putin has troops in Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and now Syria whose military doctrine is masked or hybrid warfare dedicated to destroy Europe.
Remember I keep repeating the mantra---Putin has three geo political goals.
1. discredit and damage NATO
2. discredit and damage the EU
3. completely disconnect the US from Europe
This move into Syria was clear from the recent Russian KSA press conference where Larvov called the KSA FM a blooming idiot in mild terms .
Russia desperately needs the naval port and presence in the ME and Syria gives that and Assad has been declared a critical proxy thus their moves right now.
Why--militarily speaking Assad is in fact losing and losing badly and the Russians are trying to get a deal to allow him to leave with them still controlling who will follow him.
They are trying to sucker the US into helping them rebrand him this great defender of the faith against IS AFTER Russia allowed over 1000 Russian jihadi's to leave Russia to join IS.
Putin is playing the legacy card with Obama---you help me in the Ukraine and I can help you in Syria and against the IS.