Good questions. I would like to know the answers as well.

However, many of them could have explanations in line with Hanlon’s razor (“never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity”).

Why hire shady people? Because few of any integrity or experience would work with him, and because he cares more about loyalty than competence.

Why’d they lie? Because they lie instinctively. They thought some of this stuff might look bad, so they lied about it. In the end, that might get them in more trouble. As the cliche goes, the cover up’s worse than the crime.

Why can’t Trump admit Russia messed with the election? Ego. It casts doubt on the legitimacy of his victory — the victory he constantly touts as proof of his own greatness.

Syria’s a lot more complicated. The United States remains in the northeast, and by the time Trump assumed office, Assad — thanks to his Russian and Iranian backers — was in a strong position in the west. But it’s worth pointing out that both Bush and Obama came into office thinking they could improve relations with Russia.

My point is not that the above answers are definitely right, just that they’re plausible. We’ll probably know more soon.