> Did I mention there was a large civil war next door, and one side is a significant Russian ally?
Doesn't Russia just provide it's allies with military equipment? I don't see why they would execute this strange plan to get explosive material to anyone they openly support.
Russia could have sent material directly but that would have implicated them directly in Assad's war. In 2013, Russia wasn't as hands on as it would be a few years later, trying to keep a bit of distance from his atrocities would have been reasonable. I do admit there are other possible clients for explosive material in the area.
Doesn't Russia just provide it's allies with military equipment? I don't see why they would execute this strange plan to get explosive material to anyone they openly support.