Russia & Iraq.

This is coolbert:

Also from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile weekly newsletter the Russian now poaching in an area that was previously for several decades the exclusive purview of the United States Air Force:

1. "Russia will consider requests to fight ISIS in Iraq"

1 October.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that said his government would consider any Iraqi requests to conduct air strikes against Islamic State targets in that country. He spoke at a news conference at the UN with Secretary of State John Kerry"

2. "Iraq invites Russian military aid to fight ISIl"

1 October.

"Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Thursday that he would welcome a deployment of Russian troops to Iraq to fight ISIS forces. This would also give Moscow the chance to deal with the 2,500 Chechen Muslims who he said are fighting with ISIS in Iraq."  

3. "Chinese warplanes to join Russian air strikes in Syria. Russia gains Iraqi air base"

2 October.

"Iraq has given Moscow the use of the Al Taqaddum Air Base at Habbaniyah, 74 km west of Baghdad - both as a way station for the Russian air corridor to Syria and as a launching-pad for bombing missions against ISIS forces and infrastructure in northern Iraq and northern Syria."

With regard to "Russia gains Iraqi air base" that Shia dominated central government of Iraq NO longer content with relying on American air power. AN alternative quite willing and able has been found.

coolbert.