[silverleaf]

Putin irrelevant?
I think not.
He has forged a strategic alliance wth Syrian, Iran, Iraq and Russia. Political support gained with China. Tacit alliance with Israel and Egypt. Working covertly with Jordan which is prob playing both sides. Lebanon I have not yet figured out... Russian jets are now bombing Al Qaeda/ IS close to the Golan where Israel would be very uncomfortable with Syrian jets. Expect the Iraqi govt to formally request or allow Russian combat air to operate in western Iraq, once the Russians have secured positions in central Syria and can establish a FOB perhaps at Kweires AB.
The Govt of Yemen which is under attack by Saudi Arabia and having its citizens slaughtered ( the next SYRIA?) has requested Russian assistance ... The govt of Afghanistan will soon also request support from Russia and the CSTO central Asian republic alliance Putin has built, to stem IS growth
These diplomatic moves and Informal sources ( social media and the like) indicate Putin is a hero in the region, the opposition to the West/USA and Saudi Arabia, hard to say which is more despised by more arabs and Shia...

[gleeaikin]

I did not say Putin was irrelevant. I said he may be tired of appearing so, as most of the examples you cite are behind the scenes activities. The current Syrian move was certainly a very in-your-face one, and many people who don’t usually pay attention are paying attention now.
Another situation to watch is what kind of double game the Turks are playing now. Two anti Assad media folk murdered (beheaded?) in Turkey, much anti Kurd activity in a number of different manners, etc.