interesting take. Though the US did not attack with jets, only with S-S missiles.  More like Putin orchestrated the whole debacle, including the Sarin attack, the US missile strike (with russian missile defence 'turned off' as you say) and helps get the 'Russian question' monkey off Trump's back.  Meanwhile, their secret alliance continues.  Putin still need Assad in power so he can keep expanding Russia's military presence in the region.  But Putin is not doing it for Assad's benefit, Assad is his pawn.