A couple of days ago Russia surprised many analysts with a snap announcement that it had achieved its military objectives in Syria and was pulling out the majority of its forces. Intelligence stakeholders are yet to confirm any major troop movements and it remains to be seen if the announced draw down will actually occur.

In the mean time the media, who just loves a good Putin conspiracy, has come up with a rich list of possible theories on what it means.

Here are my top 10 (listed in order of "interestingness", not credibility).

The Australian Air Task Group (ATG) completed its first operational mission in Syria overnight, retuning to base in the Middle East without incident.

Operation OKRA is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the coalition operation against Islamic State in Iraq. Operation OKRA is closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today that Australian U.S. and coalition defence forces have continued to pound Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

A generation of children, some as young as five, are being trained by Islamic State to become hardened, remorseless killers. For many children this essentially removes all hope of them ever leading a peaceful existence in this life. For the rest of the world it leaves us with a generation of mentally damaged future adults who will inevitably perpetuate the madness that their parents and mentors have instilled in them.

Turkish military forces have unilaterally launched the first known Turkish operation in Syria since the regional conflict began. Overnight around hundreds of Turkish soldiers with armoured vehicles and tanks launched a rescue operation to recover guards tasked to protect the tomb of Suleyman Shah in Syria.