Russia - Iraq bilateral cooperation

One of the Shia religious authorities in Najaf Sheikh Oday Al Asam threatened the Iraqi PM haider al abadi with besieging the "green zone" in Baghdad if he does not allow the Russian Air Force to bomb Daesh.

This now puts Abadi in a very difficult spot stuck between the US and the increasingly pro-russian Iraqi armed forces, PMU and population.

sheytanelkebir wrote:One of the Shia religious authorities in Najaf Sheikh Oday Al Asam threatened the Iraqi PM haider al abadi with besieging the "green zone" in Baghdad if he does not allow the Russian Air Force to bomb Daesh.

This now puts Abadi in a very difficult spot stuck between the US and the increasingly pro-russian Iraqi armed forces, PMU and population.

If this goes beyond words then it's only going to harm Iraq. The political words can all pressure the US into upping support for Iraq but if some actually attempt to besiege Baghdad it'll only force more Iraqi forces to secure the capital instead of fighting IS. Like the group that struck Ashraf camp.

Iraq to coordinate its counter-terrorist efforts with Russia — Russian Foreign Ministry

Whether before or after IS is defeated in Iraq, it seems like Iraq will eventually get a closer alliance with Russia, US cannot be trusted. Iraq's parliament is divided, many prefer replacing US with Russia. Only the cabinet ruling power has not yet formally asked Russia. A lot of it will depend on Syrian army/Russian success in Syria.

iraqidabab wrote:Iraq to coordinate its counter-terrorist efforts with Russia — Russian Foreign Ministry

Whether before or after IS is defeated in Iraq, it seems like Iraq will eventually get a closer alliance with Russia, US cannot be trusted. Iraq's parliament is divided, many prefer replacing US with Russia. Only the cabinet ruling power has not yet formally asked Russia. A lot of it will depend on Syrian army/Russian success in Syria.

More strategic successes from American Foreign policy.

KoTeMoRe wrote:

iraqidabab wrote:Iraq to coordinate its counter-terrorist efforts with Russia — Russian Foreign Ministry

Whether before or after IS is defeated in Iraq, it seems like Iraq will eventually get a closer alliance with Russia, US cannot be trusted. Iraq's parliament is divided, many prefer replacing US with Russia. Only the cabinet ruling power has not yet formally asked Russia. A lot of it will depend on Syrian army/Russian success in Syria.

More strategic successes from American Foreign policy.

The US through overuse of unhelpful black and white narratives have got themselves in a position where they have a tough choice between supporting Sunnis or Shia, which means either an uncomfortable alliance with either Al-Qaeda (de facto) or Iran/Hezbollah (de facto). Fortunately Russia is more pragmatic and cleaning up the mess caused by neoliberal delusions of grandeur.

Russian Deputy PM to Head Delegation to Meet With Iraq Leadership

A Russian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin will meet with Iraq’s leadership later this week during a visit to the country, a Russian newspaper reported Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Kommersant, the delegation will arrive in Iraq with a two-day visit on Wednesday. Rogozin will hold a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, the paper added.

During his visit, the Russian official will meet with the chairman of the commission, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, and President Fuad Masum, the paper reported. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as well as a number of other deputy ministers are expected to accompany Rogozin as part of the Russian delegation, according to the paper.

Bilateral cooperation in the field of energy and in the military-technical sphere is expected to be the main topic of the talks. Apart from government officials, the delegation will include some 90 Russian businessmen, the paper added.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160210/1034488197/rogozin-will-head-delegation-to-iraq.html#ixzz3zk5IQ0TH

Russia-Iraq Annual Trade Approaches $2Bln, Needs Diversification – Official

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/business/20160211/1034579218/russia-iraq-AnnualTrade.html#ixzz3zrVxZ1qr

Russian Technicians working in Taji Army Aviation MRO facility.

http://iraqimilitary.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=1700&start=390

seems they're having a look around Iraq's "western" types.

Russia's Rosneft to take control of Iraqi Kurdish pipeline amid crisis

https://t.co/DKMCRJWG61

Iraq invites Russian companies to develop oil fields in the country, says deputy minister

Particularly, one of Russian companies is starting the development of fields in the area of the Ramadi city

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. Iraq expects Russian companies to expand their participation in the development of oil fields in the republic, Deputy Foreign Minister Muayad Salih said at a meeting with chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev on Tuesday.

Iraq hopes that Russian companies will expand their presence in the country, he said. "We also hope that the participation of Russian companies in the development of oil fields will increase," the diplomat noted.

Particularly, one of Russian companies is starting the development of fields in the area of the Ramadi city. "Hopefully investments there will top $45 bln by 2030," Salih emphasized.

https://tass.com/economy/1077445

Issue of agreements between Rosneft and Iraqi Kurdistan resolved, says deputy minister

Official Baghdad opposed the signing of these agreements directly with the government of Iraqi Kurdistan instead of with the central government

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. Moscow and Baghdad resolved issues related to contracts concluded by Rosneft and Iraqi Kurdistan, Deputy Foreign Minister Muayad Salih told TASS on Tuesday.


"The tension has been removed, today we have no questions left that we should talk about. Everything has been settled," he said.

In 2017-2018, Rosneft and the government of Iraqi Kurdistan signed a number of agreements on cooperation in the field of exploration and production of hydrocarbons. In particular, the parties inked a production sharing agreement (PSA) regarding five blocks located in Iraqi Kurdistan — Batil, Zawita, Qasrok, Harir-Bejil and Darato. The Russian company is the operator of projects with an 80-percent interest in the production sharing agreements.

The federal administration in Baghdad opposed the signing of these agreements directly with the government of Iraqi Kurdistan, since, in accordance with the constitution, such agreements should be concluded with the central government.

https://tass.com/economy/1077496

The way for Russia or any regional state, is to help the development of national economy of these broken and divided countries. The key to national development, is having an investment and industrial strategy that has a strong social and political element. This policy allows for growth in ethnically diverse border areas. By employment of diverse groups. And allows for capital investment by various ethnic groups in joint ventures. Towns will grow in places where there were none. People will intermarry. No longer will there be Shia villages or Sunni villages. Where people lived separate lives. Children will speak both languages of their parents.