http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/2...RY20150927

Quote:Iraq has said its military officials are engaged in intelligence and security cooperation in Baghdad with Russia, Iran and Syria to counter the threat from the Islamic State militant group, a pact that could raise concerns in Washington.

A statement from the Iraqi military's joint operations command on Saturday said the cooperation had come "with increased Russian concern about the presence of thousands of terrorists from Russia undertaking criminal acts with Daesh (Islamic State)."

The move could give Moscow more sway in the Middle East. It has stepped up its military involvement in Syria in recent weeks while pressing for Damascus to be included in international efforts to fight Islamic State, a demand Washington rejects.

Russia's engagement in Iraq could mean increased competition for Washington from a Cold War rival as long-time enemy Iran increases its influence through Shi'ite militia allies just four years after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Russian news agency Interfax quoted a military diplomatic source in Moscow as saying the Baghdad coordination center would be led on a rotating basis by officers of the four countries, starting with Iraq.

The source added a committee might be created in Baghdad to plan military operations and control armed forces units in the fight against Islamic State.

Quote:By raising the stakes in Syria's four-year-old civil war, Moscow has prompted Washington to expand diplomatic channels with it.

Western officials have said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry wants to launch a new effort at the U.N. General Assembly this week to try to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Diplomacy has taken on new urgency in light of Russia's military build-up in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and a refugee crisis that has spilled into Europe.

Critics have urged U.S. President Barack Obama to be more decisive in the Middle East, particularly towards the Syrian conflict, and say lack of a clear American policy has given Islamic State opportunities to expand.

A Russian foreign ministry official told Interfax on Friday that Moscow could "theoretically" join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State if Damascus were included in international efforts to combat Islamic State and any international military operation in Syria had a United Nations mandate.

(09-27-2015 11:34 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/2...RY20150927

Quote:Iraq has said its military officials are engaged in intelligence and security cooperation in Baghdad with Russia, Iran and Syria to counter the threat from the Islamic State militant group, a pact that could raise concerns in Washington.

A statement from the Iraqi military's joint operations command on Saturday said the cooperation had come "with increased Russian concern about the presence of thousands of terrorists from Russia undertaking criminal acts with Daesh (Islamic State)."

The move could give Moscow more sway in the Middle East. It has stepped up its military involvement in Syria in recent weeks while pressing for Damascus to be included in international efforts to fight Islamic State, a demand Washington rejects.

Russia's engagement in Iraq could mean increased competition for Washington from a Cold War rival as long-time enemy Iran increases its influence through Shi'ite militia allies just four years after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Russian news agency Interfax quoted a military diplomatic source in Moscow as saying the Baghdad coordination center would be led on a rotating basis by officers of the four countries, starting with Iraq.

The source added a committee might be created in Baghdad to plan military operations and control armed forces units in the fight against Islamic State.

Quote:By raising the stakes in Syria's four-year-old civil war, Moscow has prompted Washington to expand diplomatic channels with it.

Western officials have said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry wants to launch a new effort at the U.N. General Assembly this week to try to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Diplomacy has taken on new urgency in light of Russia's military build-up in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and a refugee crisis that has spilled into Europe.

Critics have urged U.S. President Barack Obama to be more decisive in the Middle East, particularly towards the Syrian conflict, and say lack of a clear American policy has given Islamic State opportunities to expand.

A Russian foreign ministry official told Interfax on Friday that Moscow could "theoretically" join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State if Damascus were included in international efforts to combat Islamic State and any international military operation in Syria had a United Nations mandate.

The Only thing Obama is decisive about is His hatred for Republicans. To Him nothing else matters.

Russia wants to be bigger player. Russian thinks the US has broken the Middle East by topping Sadam and then leaving too Iraq too soon. Russia sees the numero uno priority as ISIS and not Assad.

(09-28-2015 07:56 AM)VA49er Wrote:  Russia wants to be bigger player. Russian thinks the US has broken the Middle East by topping Sadam and then leaving too Iraq too soon. Russia sees the numero uno priority as ISIS and not Assad.

I really doubt that Russia gives a crap about ISIS. Watch what happens, and i bet Russia prioritizes destroying all other groups ahead of ISIS, just like Assad has done. Russia 's #1 priority is their naval base. #2 is being opportunistic to form alliances against the west.

Russia cooperates with no one. Nor can their intelligence be believed.

Who gives a flying f*ck.

The Iranians have been deeply involved for a long time, even when we were there. We were fooling ourselves thinking we had people. Iran has people; we had Iran's people.