The only reason the Russians would say that is if they are up to their necks in Syrias Bio Weapons systems defense.
The good news..
The U S wrote the book on "First Strike". There is no country on earth that can prevent our capability to render it 100% helpless in a first strike.
The Russians will talk big cuz that's all they have is big talk. When push comes to shove they will evacuate their personell and leave Assad to his own demise.
That sounds about right--the Russian involvement and how they will respond.
It is a relief to know that 'if necessary' we can do what has to be done.
Thanks to wikipedia I am now more informed about 'first strike'. We have an intimidating arsenal of missiles it seems.
Another article said --'SOS Clinton wouldn't specify what action the US would take but there would be appropriate consequences...'
NATO has positioned some missiles at a base in Turkey and perhaps elsewhere.
Not an easy decision to make, perhaps comparable to Truman's decision to bomb Hiroshima. A last resort. Sometimes it comes to that.