Russia's Covert Diplomacy on Syria

Since the MAKS air show did not result in any major arms agreements with the Middle Eastern states, the goal of this gathering was likely to discuss Syria. While the spotlight was on the officials who were exploring Russia’s latest weapons, Moscow also quietly hosted Syria’s Minister for National Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar. This would seem to reiterate the point that the air show was only a cover for Putin’s covert diplomacy.