This is likely the main reason Iraq has intermittently contemplated buying long-range Russian S-400 or S-300 air defense missiles in recent years. Moreover, an Iranian win in parliament does not necessarily signal a win for Iran either, as the Iraqi street is fed up with Iranian meddling, as was obvious during mass protests earlier this year. Therefore, he thinks that Russia will most likely maintain tacit (and semi-official) contacts with all parties involved, since this is one of the distinctive features of Russia's foreign policy in the region.

However, this may not be the case in Iraq, as propping up anti-American forces in the country serves both Tehran and Moscow. [Getty], Date of publication: An increased Russian presence in the country and the broader region is related to confusing and often destructive US policy, which under the last three administrations has been either overaggressive or simply inactive on particular issues.

If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. "They pursue advantages without discrimination, ideological boundary, or humanitarian restraints. Nevertheless, Russia has been very uncomfortable with Iran's military build-up in southern Syria, through strengthening pro-Iranian militias (including Hezbollah) against Israel. According to him, a clearer and more robust US foreign policy in Iraq could displace Russian influence as quickly as it was amassed. Russia may also learn from some of the blunders from the Soviet past, when the USSR, whose actual weight in the Middle East was incomparable with Russia`s current position, was mistakenly convinced that it would be able to exercise some control over the Iraqi leadership in 1990.

Buying high-tech Su-57s or S-400s, however, would undoubtedly bring about U.S. sanctions on Iraq. Nevertheless, Russia has been ever more active in other parts of the country as well. Russian engagement in Iraq accelerated notably after the emergence of the Islamic State (IS), when Iraq desperately needed help but Western powers, notably the US, were initially irresponsive in providing military assistance to Baghdad. Iranian leaders are well aware of Russian fickleness and self-interest. According to him, Russia can cause problems through the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) but probably not do much to undermine US relations with Iraq or displace the United States. He is convinced that Russia will find ways to undermine US interests and expand their own influence, but their influence in the Middle East after the fall of the Soviet Union has been almost entirely ephemeral, barring Syria.

Some believe that such a possibility would then require some US response. This brought very limited results, yet requested huge resources, he noted. That would be a … “We have many helicopters from Russia, Mi-35, Mi-28, Mi-17 … It is main [air] power in Iraq.”. But Russia's direct influence over Iraqi state matters remains limited as Iran has shaped Iraq's military, security and political establishment to the great disappointment of Washington, which despite huge input could not prevent Iran's penetration. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. This gives them tremendous tactical advantage in global competition against the United States. Moreover, Russia signed agreements to expand ties with Iraq in electricity generation, agriculture and transportation and, last year, even established a command centre in Baghdad under an intelligence-sharing agreement that includes Iran and Syria. At more than 10%, they’re the highest in the Middle East. On the contrary, Russian assistance was an entry ticket for further deals, and Moscow made inroads into both Iraq and Iraqi-Kurdistan's energy sectors. part of the Army 2020 International Military Technical Forum at the Kubinka air field. Besides playing a significant role in the country's energy sector, Russia has also created links with various political and military as well as paramilitary factions in Iraq, further challenging the US position in the country. In this sense, Russia's deep ties with Iran and influence on some factions in Iraq could be merely an image, but the real or actual weight Moscow has in the region may in fact be much less than it appears, according to Sukhankin. That would be a bad idea for the troubled Middle Eastern nation. Iraq The US State Department is putting pressure on Iraq's government to rein in the actions of Iran-backed militias after an attack north of Baghdad last week left … Russia’s second-biggest oil producer pumped 400,000 barrels a day last year at its West Qurna 2 project in southern Iraq, and it had planned to boost output there in 2020. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Russia's growing influence in Iraq: A new challenge for the US, Read more: Iraq's reign of fear: Inside the violent power, The Iraq Report: US military drawdown will embolden, Read more: Warm waters at last: Russia's expanding military footprint in the Middle East.

Exports of the aircraft will likely take even longer. Given the fact that the rates of supply clearly overarch the demand (and this may become a long-term trend), Russia`s investments in the local oil sector might turn out to be a strategic error. Russian outreach to Iran-backed militias has been somewhat neglected by Western analysts, although this may further complicate the US foothold in Iraq, given the close ties between Moscow and Tehran. Over the last decade, Russia has patiently built up its presence in Iraq, significantly improving its geopolitical position.

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