Joe, I think Trumps foreign policy gives the lie to russian collusion.
I would argue the war in Syria was a energy and pipeline war. Quatari gas wanted a pipeline through Syria to Europe.
Russia wanted their nordstream pipeline to supply europe, as they controlled the taps. Assad did not want to play ball, hence the war. The US is still ensconced over the oil fields around deir er-zor in the north east.
(BBC)"he US announced a withdrawal of its forces from northern Syria in October, but has since said it would retain around 500 troops to guard oil facilities, along with Kurdish-led forces, who are currently the main beneficiaries of the production.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has said US troops are there to guard against not only Islamic State fighters but also Russian and Syrian government forces.

For their part, Russian forces are helping Syrians try to regain control of oil production and have their eyes on these facilities."

We're keeping the oil, remember that. We want to keep the oil. Forty-five million dollars a month."
Donald Trump
US President
All Syria has is the small Ash Shaer field west of Palmyra.

Putin's puppet does not compute - Sorry!