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US-Russia wrangle over Iraqi Sphere of influence: Parliament to Weigh In
http://www.juancole.com/2015/10/wrangle-influence-parliament.htmlUS-Russia wrangle over Iraqi Sphere of influence: Parliament to Weigh In
By Juan Cole | Oct. 22, 2015
Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi is alleged to be under “enormous pressure” from Shiite militiamen and hardliners to seek Russian airstrikes on Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) targets. On Oct. 1, he had announced that such Russian intervention in his country would be welcome.
On Wednesday, the largest bloc in parliament, the Shiite Da’wa Party from which al-Abadi springs, sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking for Russian intervention.
He has established a joint intelligence center in Baghdad where reports are shared among Iraq, Iran, Russia and Syria.
But this week the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, visited Iraq and said he got assurances from PM al-Abadi that Russia would not fly missions against Daesh on Iraqi soil.
