Iraq is a trump card in Russia's Middle East policy

45
In the third and final round of the US election debates, Barack Obama "left out" Mitt Romney on all counts - including the Middle East. Without going into unnecessary details, we only note that American political analysts, after analyzing the debates that had ended, summarized: Obama looked “convincing and far-sighted” because he “looked into the future,” but Mr. Romney “looked back, gave examples from the past,” which indicates his lack of clear foreign policy plans.

Iraq is a trump card in Russia's Middle East policy


"Governor, - addressed Obama to Romney - you said that our naval forces are now smaller than in 1916 year. I dare to assure you, we now also have fewer horses and bayonets. We have such things, they are called aircraft carriers, they land on planes. And there are still ships that are sailing underwater, submarines. This is not a game of ships, the governor. "


With regard to Iraq, the current president’s rival argued like George W. Bush, who, according to his own assurances, “was commanded by the Lord” to attack this country. But since Bush’s time, much has changed. Obama reminded Romney that now is not 2003, but 2012 a year. is he сказал:

“Every time you spoke, you were wrong. You said that we should enter Iraq, although there is no nuclear weapons, you said that we had to keep troops in Iraq to this day ... "


Most interestingly, Romney is not so mistaken. He is generally quite consistent in his foreign policy statements - except for the change of America’s main enemy from Russia to Al-Qaida plus Iran. Vietnamese veteran Senator McCain, who thinks much brighter than Mitt Romney in the categories of the Cold War, not so long ago сказалthat America’s mistake was the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan after the departure of the Soviet contingent:

“The transfer of weapons to the resistance to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan was not a mistake. The mistake was to give the Afghans their own fate after the Russians left. ”


Mitt Romney admits the same thought regarding Iraq.

A holy place is never empty, and Russia is trying to fill some geopolitical emptiness that has arisen in Baghdad. Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki is contributing to a solid partnership with Moscow.

Until now, the attention of the press is riveted on the arms deal between Iraq and Russia. Two weeks ago, Nuri al-Maliki visited Moscow, and the media learnedthat we are talking about several contracts, the largest of which are contracts for the supply of 30 (or 36) attack helicopters MI-28HE and 42 (or 48) ZRPK 96K6 "Armor-C1". Iraq decided to buy weapons and military equipment from Russia for 4,2 billion dollars (and maybe all 5). The newest contracts can lead Russia to 2-e place in the list of suppliers of weapons to Iraq. The US remains the first: they have 467 contracts worth 12,3 billion dollars.

Analysts commented differently on the situation. There were opinions that Iraq decided to put America in its place and declare an independent policy. Other experts on the Middle East reacted to this more simply: Baghdad, they say, is simply looking for cheaper weapons, the US is too expensive, and the Russian people are more accustomed to the Iraqis.

Al-Maliki decided to clarify the situation. is he saidthat Washington will not be able to block the contract for the purchase of Russian weapons signed by Baghdad:

“Whether it is the purchase of weapons or oil or political consultations, we do not consult anyone on these issues. Our foreign policy is to proceed from our own interests. ”


Washington in the person of vice president and head of the Pentagon made it clear Iraq, which is somehow not human: to re-arm its army without the consent of the Pentagon.

However, Baghdad stepped up military-trade cooperation with Moscow after the head of the Senate’s international affairs committee, J. Kerry said, that it is necessary to stop the supply of American weapons to Iraq - because of the refusal of Baghdad to intercept an Iranian aircraft with military cargo en route to Syria.

That is, the Americans are to some extent to blame. To uphold “American values” is one thing, and doing business is another. If the first interferes with the second, you need to think and make a smart choice. They did it before. And Kerry for some reason blundered: put "values" ahead of profit. First he said, then he thought. And the profit is about to go to Russia.

Of course, there is an opinion that the map of al-Maliki and V. Putin will be beaten.

For example, Orientalist Bulat Nuriev (Echo of Moscow) announces al-Maliki’s short-sighted plans:

“In the Middle East, one more political actor has been activated recently - Iraq. Let me remind you that the federalization of Iraq and even the possible creation of a fully-fledged independent Kurdish state on a part of its territory were included in the plans of the West to reorganize this region. It would seem that an independent Kurdistan, which can be used against the Pan-Turkic movements not only in this region, but in the whole Eurasian space, is exactly what Moscow needs. But events are developing in a completely different scenario. Nuri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of this country, clearly makes it clear that, firstly, he will not tolerate further decentralization of Iraq and Kurdish statehood, and secondly, he will oppose Turkish “neo-Ottoman” hegemony in the region in every possible way. It is difficult to judge whether this is deliberate or not, but he began a tough confrontation with both the Turks and the Kurds at the same time, apparently not realizing that this way only contributes to their consolidation. ”


It is difficult to agree with this statement: too much evidence to the contrary.

Earlier, a similar Kurdish opinion was expressed in the Iraqi parliament, which, by the way, has not yet approved arms deals. Some members of parliament count them.that, armed to the teeth, al-Maliki will ignite the flames of the internal conflict in Iraq (obviously, will speak out against the Kurds), finally become friends with Iran, help Syria and complicate the country's relations with Turkey.

Iraqi Kurds were excited about the arms contract with Russia. They believe that Russian weapons will be used against them. Attack helicopters, for example. But Iraqi President D. Talabani said that the country is arming itself in case of a possible conflict with the Turks. Of course, the Kurds' personal business is to believe it or not, but al-Maliki would hardly have started two games in the current foreign policy situation: against the Kurds and against the Turks. After all, if so against the Turks, then at the same time with the Kurds. Premier takes into account the balance of power in the region and buys weapons. By the way, in addition to Russia and the United States, he also buys planes from the Czech Republic - for a billion.

But B. Nuriev makes another conclusion:

“So, Moscow, without having a coherent and balanced position on the Middle East and the Arab Spring, is losing its traditional allies without acquiring new ones. After all, it is known that modern Iraq is an Atlantic project in its essence and is completely dependent on the West. In this regard, the question is brewing by itself: does the Russian Foreign Ministry have a coherent foreign policy line? Who determines the country's foreign policy: specialists with a capital letter of this word, or, as they say, relatives, “friends in the cooperative” and fellow students parasitizing on patriotic idle talk and their incompetence? ”


Atlantic project? Fully dependent? On this thrown out Al-Maliki himself:

“For example, we have good relations with both America and Iran, although, as you know, they have contradictions with each other. When purchasing weapons, we proceed from the needs that we have. Everyone knows that we are pursuing an open policy and do not want Iraq to become a patrimony. ”


For the “patrimony”, the Americans felt hurt, but there was nothing to object to. Didn’t they build democracy in Iraq for eight years?

Didn’t they stuffed Iraq with lead in such a way that now almost all of the newly born children are incurably sick, and for decades will be born boys and girls with congenital heart defects, with functional disorders of brain activity, with disfigured limbs? Isn’t the American military responsible for the misfortune of the Iraqi people because of air pollution from lead and mercury vapor? Scientists have proved a direct link between such anomalies as mass miscarriages and congenital malformations, and the intervention of coalition forces led by the United States to Iraq. The results of the investigations agree on one thing - the detrimental effect on human health. rendered the use of American weapons:

“Scientists have provided terrifying information: the lead content in the hair of Iraqi children born with disabilities is five times higher than all acceptable limits and indicators for healthy children. In Basra, babies have a high lead content in their teeth.

During pregnancy, lead, deposited in the mother's body, enters the infant's bone tissue. There is exactly the same level of lead in the blood of an embryo as in the blood of a woman in labor ...

The impact of mercury affects the brain, kidneys, detrimental effect on the development of the embryo. In Iraq, air, water and land are supersaturated with mercury and lead vapors - the consequences of a military invasion using modern weapons technology. ”


The war almost destroyed the Iraqi nation. It is not surprising that Comrade Al-Maliki, as soon as such an opportunity presented itself, as soon as the Russians showed proper interest, turned away from the American path.

According to Mr. Nuriev, Moscow is short-sighted, but the neo-osmanist R. T. Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, “is achieving yet another success.” The orientalist believes that Turkish Kurds not only do not see the former threat in Ankara’s face, but the prime minister even enlisted their support - and therefore “feels confident in the international arena.” So confidently that "neo-Ottomanism as a new Turkish ideology has its own perspectives".

What are these prospects? The unification of the Kurdish Workers Party with the Kurdish army in Syria, the creation of which President Assad recently gave the go-ahead — what nearly shocked Erdogan? .. Turkey, despite the policy of “zero problems with its neighbors” long ago proclaimed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs A. Davutoglu, has no neighbors with which there would be no problems now.

The course of neo-Ottomanism, which the “moderate Islamist” R. T. Erdogan adheres to, cannot be realized by Turkey. So считает the chief editor of Russia in Global Politics, Fedor Lukyanov, who recently visited Istanbul at a congress dedicated to the security issues of the Black Sea and Caucasus regions, where, in addition to the main topic, they also spoke about Syria. He said:

“... The opinion of thinking people is about one thing: Turkey overestimated its capabilities and underestimated the complexity of everything around. As a result, Erdogan fell into a position where actions lead to deterioration, and inaction leads to loss of reputation. Therefore, we have to act, despite the fact that the majority of the population, according to polls, does not at all support the idea of ​​a war with Syria, this does not seem expedient to anyone. ”


There is no Turkish government and former authority inside the country. Neither Erdogan nor Davutoglu supports the people.

October 21 in Hatay Province, Syria Passed action "No to imperialist interference in the affairs of Syria." On the eve, October 20, the united Turkish public organizations - the Confederation of Labor Unions of Revolutionary Workers, the Confederation of Civil Service Workers' Unions, the Federation of Engineers and Architects of Turkey, the Federation of Turkish Doctors - also held a protest in Ankara. They opposed the Justice and Development Party, led by Erdogan, the policy towards Syria, as well as its economic consequences. The Secretary General of the Confederation of Civil Service Unions of Turkey, Ismail Hakki Tombul, read an appeal to the press:

“The government of the AKP leads to the impoverishment of the people and, playing the role of a contractor in the imperialists' intervention in the life of Syria, pushes the country into a bloody war. Turkey is guilty of the death of innocent people of Syria. Ankara at the behest of the United States has become a regional military bridgehead and leads a militant policy inflating interfaith clashes. Educated under the influence of large military spending, the budget deficit is being tried to be closed at the expense of the workers ’pocket, introducing new taxes and raising prices.”


Erdogan is not independent in foreign policy, he relies on the United States, NATO, the UN Security Council in everything. Only an insult to the leisurely "allies" can explain the recent statements R.T. Erdogan at the World Istanbul Forum - about the necessary UN reform, where "what the five permanent members of the Security Council say is happening", and that, they say, Western countries are no longer the only center in the modern world. True, it is not clear why this lord neo-osmanist Erdogan periodically calls on Western countries to help the Syrian democracy - despite the apparent shift of the center of the world towards the Turkic peoples?

There are no prospects for "neo-Ottomanism."

Ankara, which is clearly not supported by either NATO or the United States, who refuse to openly intervene in the border conflict between Turkey and Syria, will probably soon have to abandon ambitious claims to regional hegemony. Prime Minister Erdogan not only failed to achieve success in neo-Ottomanism, but rather lost a political face on his aspirations. By encouraging “opposition” in Syria, he kindles the flames of war there - which has a devastating effect on the Turkish economy. One hundred thousand Syrian refugees who crossed the border of Turkey are a serious burden for the Turkish budget.

As for the intra-Iraqi Kurdish question, B. Nuriev could answer it. Iraqi Kurdistan’s head Masud Barzani, who - just like al-Maliki - strongly condemns Turkey’s economic and political plans in the region.

“Perhaps - notices journalist Alexei Chichkin, for the first time in the entire 80-year-old history An independent Iraq is a united state in economic and political issues. ”


However, the in the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet Daily News expressed by opposite opinion:

"You cannot be on good terms with al-Maliki or Iran if you are on good terms with Barzani."


From here, the journalist concludes: in Iraq there will be a power struggle.

The Kurdish question, according to the author, can change the map of the Middle East. If relations between Turks and Kurds become complicated, if the conflict spills over the country's borders, and Kurds from Syria and Iraq take part in it, then Kurdistan can stretch to the Mediterranean - through Iraq and Syria. Here the author is careful and writes that, probably, Russia, Iran and Iraq will try to prevent this.

Resource Analyst News Al-Iraq Ayad al-Samarrai считает that Iraqi leaders, along with Russians and Iranians, are going to help Syria. It was for the aid of Syria that the contract for the supply of arms was concluded in Moscow. Thus, the journalist believes, we observe emerging alliance: Russia + Iran + Iraq + Syria and even + Lebanese Hezbollah. Al-Maliki’s visit to Moscow is called “historical” by the author of the article.

Why is this happening? The analyst points out: Al-Assad's “regime” in Syria is “on the verge of collapse,” the Iranian economy is “lurching under the weight of sanctions,” which causes inflation, and therefore Moscow and Tehran are thinking about a plan to save Syria and Iran. Their joint idea is to use Iraq for this. For this Moscow

“He is manipulated by ignorant leaders who are not able to understand what is happening behind the scenes of world politics.”


All this became clear to the author after a series of visits. First, high-ranking Iranian security officers recently visited Iraq. Secondly, Prime Minister al-Maliki flew to Russia (“in search of a new formula for security cooperation”). Third, Al-Maliki’s Moscow visit was preceded by a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan by Commander Qods (special forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps), Brigadier General Kassem Suleymani, during which he met with President Talabani and his assistants - in order to understand whether they agree they cooperate with Tehran to preserve the Assad government in Syria. Earlier, Suleymani visited Ankara and Damascus. And after him, Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi arrived in Baghdad. Finally, there is evidence that Iranian President Ahmadinejad plans to visit Baghdad.

Hence the conclusion: given that the United States is seeking to overthrow all the allies of al-Maliki, they will soon abandon him. Iraq, which has made friends with America’s “traditional” enemy, Russia, will again become one of America’s opponents. There is a high probability that Washington will take steps to replace al-Maliki in the very near future. Probably internal Iraqi levers will be used for this, since the prime minister is an undesirable figure for many local political blocs.

It has been argued that during the six years of Al-Maliki’s rule, he did not improve security in the country, that when it spread corruption. It is also bad that he does not approve of Turkey’s policy, and because of this “the drums of war are rattling louder and louder”. As a result, Iraq "may again become a victim."

The journalist advises the prime minister to first make peace with his own people, and then be friends with "outsiders."

Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr also subjected to harsh criticism of the Russian-Iraqi arms supply treaties to Iraq. Al-Sadr said that this is contrary to the national aspirations of the Iraqi people and in general waste of money. According to Muqtada al-Sadr, the agreements on the supply of Russian weapons to Iraq will exacerbate contradictions within the country.

Meanwhile, many Iraqi Kurds (see edition "The Kurdish Globe", the author notes - Salih Valadbadzhi) have a different opinion. Hassan Jihad, a member of the Kurdish Defense and Security Committee of the Iraqi National Assembly, told the Kurdish media that The agreement between the Ministry of Peshmarga of Kurdistan and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense will benefit the Kurds: they will be given a share of the armaments from the supplies that the Iraqi central government plans to acquire under agreements with Russia and the Czech Republic.

Thus, let us add on our own, as if the Turks did not want to see Barzani from al-Maliki separately, in this case the principle of “divide and rule” does not work.

According to Comrade Jihad, the main motive for purchasing weapons is equipping the Iraqi army and improving security in the country. The only intelligible argument that some Kurds object to al-Maliki is that such an urgent deal to acquire heavy weapons is not justified. It is here that other political commentators see a threat to the Kurds of Iraq.

The Iraqi government establishes anti-aircraft missile and radar systems in order to effectively combat the Turkish violators of Iraq’s air border - just against the Kurds, including those in the Kurdish Workers Party, which in Turkey is considered a terrorist organization.

Some Kurds, who wished to remain anonymous, say that the country's current armament reminds them of the time of Saddam’s rule.

An unnamed Iraqi source also reported that It is planned to send about 12000 American soldiers to Iraq. These military personnel will join roughly 4000 soldiers still serving in Iraq after the withdrawal of US troops in 2011.

88-year-old Jimmy Carter, former US president, recently visited Iraq. Today notes that in connection with this, Pentagon’s press secretary George Little said: During his visit, Carter emphasized the role of Iraq in ensuring regional stability.

Maybe “stability” J. Little saw in Iraq’s desire to acquire F-16 from America and Tanks.

Other columnists see in this purchase the observance of the defense interests of Shiite Iraq: eighteen US F-16, purchased in an expedited manner, will be the "Shiite shield" of Iraq. Posted by in Townhall Finance believes that these planes will help create a "shield of Shiite Islam" in Iraq.

As for Moscow, it is trying to regain its traditional strong role in the Middle East. So says journalist Anna Nemtsova ("The Daily Beast", source of abbreviated translation - "Inopressa").

In her opinion to restore its influence in the Middle East, the Kremlin resorts to traditional means: contracts for the purchase of oil and the supply of arms. Anna Nemtsova writes:

"At the moment, the most promising partner for Russia is Iraq."


Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Moscow Center for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, says:

“Obviously, American influence in Iraq is overrated. The Shiite government is starting to pursue a course more independent of Washington. ”


Thus, it is a convenient time for the return of influence in Baghdad. A holy place is really never empty.

Iraq, the journalist writes, needs Russian investments: after all, the damage caused to the Iraqi infrastructure during the war is estimated at 800 billion dollars.

And for Russia, it is important not only military-trade cooperation, but also the development of Iraqi oil fields: this is a sure way to secure its industrial future in Iraq.

Two Russian oil companies are currently working in Iraq. Perhaps one of them, LUKoil, will acquire from the American Exxon its West Qurna-1 project.

On the Iraqi oil issue had to speak and such a connoisseur of the resource issue, as Hillary Clinton. Speaking at Georgetown University, US Secretary of State saidthat she is not worried about Russia becoming the largest oil producer in Iraq, because ultimately oil produced by Russian companies is supplied to the world market and becomes available to all participants.

Well, well ... When there is nothing to say, a trump card of universal love comes out of the sleeve. Russian companies? That is the will of the Iraqi people, consecrated by the American values ​​of fraternity and democracy.

In fact, Hillary bites her elbows. In America, firstly, scary puzzled by the fact that the current government of Iraq is doing the same thing that the “regime” of Saddam was doing — that is, buying weapons from Russia. Secondly, the State Department must be very angry because of the fact that Iraq since May delivers Syria’s oil and petroleum products are not only against US and EU pressure, but also on preferential terms. And in Syria, the State Department in the face of Hillary Clinton is in one position: "Assad must leave." But the cooperation of Iraq, Iran, Russia and Syria — along with the international stubbornness of Comrades Lavrov and Churkin — makes this departure an almost fantastic prospect.

Former Senior Pentagon Security Analyst Michael Maloof rights: Hussein was overthrown, but Baghdad turned to face Moscow.

We see another example of how the American boomerang hits its senders on the forehead. For eight years, Washington’s envoys fought for Iraq, stuffed Iraq with Iraq, and air and water for mercury. More 800 billion dollars was spent on this war. Four and a half thousand soldiers who fought under the star-striped flag, found their death here. And all this in order for al-Maliki to decide that LUKoil and Gazpromneft are preferable to Exxon? Then, so that Baghdad bluntly declares the inadmissibility of the “patrimony” overseas owner? Then, that Iraq began to buy weapons from Russia - as in the time of Saddam Hussein? Finally, then, in the Middle East, an invincible Shiite trio from Iraq, Iran and Syria? Truly, Barak Huseynovich Obamkin - an agent of the Kremlin. And the agent is brilliant.

Observed and translated by Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
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    45 comments
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    1. +4
      26 October 2012 08: 13
      Thank you for the article.
      1. Dimonanet
        +4
        26 October 2012 13: 46
        Great article! I read in one breath! Let's make the world a better place))))
        1. -2
          26 October 2012 19: 52
          And I mnogabukaf niazilil: / what is good about these candidates for world dictators tired?
      2. +1
        26 October 2012 17: 27
        I agree with you in evaluating the article.
        To be honest, of course, it is hard to believe that the Americans will allow Russia to enter the market of their de facto colony.
    2. Cold
      0
      26 October 2012 09: 18
      It is strange that the Americans allowed Russia to enter the Iraqi military and oil market, while they themselves left very much like exchanging Syria for Iraq. Hmm. IMHO hi
      1. merkel1961
        0
        26 October 2012 10: 00
        But what about our five BDKs with a landing party, a BOD, a tanker, and other vessels? What, in your opinion, to ensure an exchange?
      2. 0
        26 October 2012 10: 27
        Quote: Cold
        very similar to exchanging Syria for Iraq

        The exchange is very unequal
      3. +2
        26 October 2012 10: 53
        It is difficult for us now to guess what is happening in big politics. time will tell. We hope that Putin is taking the right steps.
      4. Lucky
        0
        26 October 2012 12: 14
        There is truth in your words!
      5. +3
        26 October 2012 12: 32
        Quote: Cold
        similar to exchanging Syria for Iraq

        I doubt it. It seems more like that Russia is gathering tactical partners in the region, rather than betting on one alone. In my opinion the right approach.
    3. WW3
      WW3
      +3
      26 October 2012 09: 37
      In this region, all politics goes around oil, naturally Russia should give Iraq a significant role in foreign policy vectors ... and Russian weapons are more familiar there than American ones ... an old friend, as they say, is better than the new two ...
    4. Fidain
      0
      26 October 2012 09: 59
      Time will tell whether they will buy weapons from Russia or not, but one thing is already clear that the Arab "sayuzniks" of the United States, as an interpretation, will be able to conduct their policy and this is fundamentally different from what the overseas gentlemen expect from Iraq or the "fruits" of the Arab Spring.
    5. +6
      26 October 2012 10: 03
      Surprisingly, as soon as you start reading the analytics of the "echo of Moscow," there is a persistent smell of a rotten swamp into which sewage is poured.
      In Iraq, one should probably expect any provocative actions against the Iraqi leadership. Amer insults do not forgive!
      1. +2
        26 October 2012 10: 32
        Quote: omsbon
        read analytics "echo of moscow, there is a persistent smell

        That's why it is the "echo of Moscow" to stink ...
      2. fern
        +1
        26 October 2012 20: 46
        By the way, yes. One of the most rotten places. Especially you begin to understand this by reading the comments there. People are not educated and aggressive. Full of delirium. To compare people here and on the echo is like comparing a scientific conference and a crowd of gopotas on the street ..
        Well, what a resource, such and visitors
    6. alatau_09
      +4
      26 October 2012 10: 05
      !Everything is relative!"
      All who collaborated with the USSR, having tasted the delights of Jewish democracy and their "free" assistance, sooner or later turn to the Russian Federation as the heiress of a country that does not exist for political or economic reasons ... I think this is just the beginning of the process ...
      1. 0
        26 October 2012 10: 39
        Quote: alatau_09
        I think this is just the beginning of the process.

        That's just the Bulgarian nuclear contracts say the opposite.
        1. alatau_09
          +2
          26 October 2012 10: 52
          stariy
          ripen, still greenish ...
          usually, those who are more helped, they are most offended .... and this will pass when they grow up ...
    7. +7
      26 October 2012 10: 11
      5 article! Americans will be thr now all who at least have such an opportunity, But Iraq, poor Iraq had to endure so much and naturally the people there will remember those who brought suffering and misery into their lives, I hope Russia will not miss this opportunity and take advantage of hatred for The United States is not even a profit but a leading position on this planet, the largest country should by default occupy a leading position in the world, if we are so stupid and not developed according to the West, then why has it so historically developed that we have the largest territories the greatest resources in the world? stupid people couldn't own it all for so long
      1. +5
        26 October 2012 12: 39
        We warned them.
        1. Lucky
          0
          26 October 2012 23: 32
          Broom rotten need to drive them !!)) drinks
    8. +3
      26 October 2012 10: 28
      Glad to hear that! I hope the cooperation between Russia and Iraq is not limited to arms supplies only! I hope there will be other joint projects in the field of energy and industry. Only the Russian people will help the Iraqi people to eliminate the devastation and disorder created by NATO
      1. +3
        26 October 2012 10: 51
        JonnyT,
        There, after all, not only a contract for the supply of weapons was signed, but also for the development of the field by Russian companies. There was a rumor on TV that the Iraqis drove the Amerov EXMOBIL from a large field, now they will drill ours, Lukoil if I'm not mistaken. Iraq buys Russian weapons to intimidate Turkey, the latter very often bombing the north of Iraqi territory in the fight against the Kurds. since other countries are bombing your land, what for you are an independent state. Seeing how cleverly the Syrians shot down the Turkish Phantom Iraq appreciated the power of the Russian Pantsyr. Here and buy. If Iraq has only amer’s weapons, albeit good ones, then they have a risk in the event of a conflict. The United States may block all the electronics in the supplied weapons - in this way an expensive toy becomes scrap metal. So it was with Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. when the spare parts bought by Iraq from Israel were suddenly destroyed by the stroke of a magic wand.
    9. +2
      26 October 2012 10: 47
      merkel1961 Today, 10:00 ↑ ↓ new 0
      But what about our five BDKs with a landing party, a BOD, a tanker, and other vessels? What, in your opinion, to ensure an exchange?


      It looks more like yesterday’s duck. I googled a bit yesterday because there was no time but there was no confirmation. request
    10. Dimani
      +1
      26 October 2012 10: 49
      Of course we will see, but if everything happens really as it is written in the article, we can be congratulated on the fact that we finally learned how to use the fruits of other people's victories. Previously, only the British were unsurpassed masters in this. smile
      1. Lucky
        0
        26 October 2012 12: 19
        The good news is, we should be able to put these thoughts into practice, then even bigger contracts and opportunities will open up!
    11. borisst64
      +1
      26 October 2012 11: 56
      I can not connect the presence of lead in humans with military operations, except for the use of toxic substances.
      1. +2
        26 October 2012 12: 31
        There, in addition to lead, still depleted of uranium, amers are thrown in bulk. Our tungsten is used in our shells, and they are uranium. On this basis, many soldiers have had major health problems.
        The U.S. used ammunition with uranium during the 1991 war against Iraq. The U.S. Army spent about 14 thousand tank shells containing depleted uranium. In total, from 275 to 300 tons of depleted uranium was used [5]. According to the director of the Center for International Initiatives in New York, Sarah Flanders, “The Pentagon used a huge amount of weapons with depleted uranium in the war against Iraq. For this operation, more than 940 thousand 30 mm bullets with uranium and more than 14 thousand large-caliber tank shells — 105 and 120 mm shells — were fired ”[6].

        After the war, several thousand US and British soldiers were found to have various diseases associated with impaired liver and kidney function, and low blood pressure. Retired US Army Colonel Douglas Rocke, a professor of environmental science at Jacksonville University, discovered that uranium can cause lymphoma, mental disorders, and cause birth defects in future generations [7]. As Aleksey Yablokov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted, in the Iraqi territories contaminated with uranium in the area of ​​the city of Basra, the frequency of premature births, birth defects of newborns, leukemia and other types of cancers increased by 3-4 times. According to Yablokov, congenital disorders (lack of eyes, ears, fusion of fingers and blood vessels, etc.) were found in more than 60% of children born in families of American soldiers who fought during the conflict[8]. The US government dismissed all claims by sick military personnel, explaining that the effect of depleted uranium on the development of diseases has not been proven.

        In theory, depleted uranium can be pulled as a chemical weapon if desired
        1. Petrospek
          +1
          26 October 2012 16: 47
          the article is about lead and mercury, there is no talk about uranium
    12. +2
      26 October 2012 12: 15
      Truly, Barack Huseynovich Obamkin is an agent of the Kremlin. Moreover, the agent is brilliant.
      Sorry, + only one can be put ...
    13. +1
      26 October 2012 12: 34
      Thanks to Oleg for the article. Very informative. For us everything is good that the amers are pitchfork. Yes, and for Obama he laughed heartily! It's time to reward already, for the merits to our Fatherland! soldier
      1. 11Goor11
        0
        26 October 2012 22: 31
        And McFaul, as the best counterintelligence agent, introducing foreign agents into the clear laughing
    14. wolverine7778
      +1
      26 October 2012 13: 23
      armed to the teeth, al-Maliki will rekindle the flames of internal conflict in Iraq (he will obviously oppose the Kurds), finally make friends with Iran, help Syria and complicate the country's relations with Turkey.
      Al-Qaeda is rebuilding its forces in Iraq and setting up training camps for recruits in the country's western deserts, as well as increasingly exploiting the regional instability and failures of Iraqi military and law enforcement agencies. Iraq has witnessed a sharp jump in the number of Al-Qaeda military operations in the past 10 weeks, officials believe that most Islamic fighters are former prisoners who either fled from the prisons of Murtad or were released by Iraqi authorities for lack of evidence after troop withdrawal of American troops. According to the AP agency, during the occupation of Iraq, American troops, joined by pro-government forces, managed to repel the onslaught of Al-Qaeda Mujahideen, but now Iraqi and American officials say that the number of Islamic movement fighters has doubled compared to last year. They currently carry out an average of 140 attacks every week throughout Iraq, for comparison: earlier this year, an average of 75 attacks were carried out each week, according to a Pentagon report. Al Qaeda is returning in Iraq, commented US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, who visited Baghdad in September. In November 2011, a key US military official in Iraq, Army General Lloyd Austin, predicted future turbulence for the Iraqi government. He had no doubt that soon large-scale hostilities would begin in Iraq between the Sunnis and Shiites. The latter lacks the strength to respond to the deadly attacks of al-Qaeda Mujahideen. On October 9, a series of explosions and shelling killed six people, including three soldiers and a judge. Attacks were carried out in Baghdad, Mosul and Tal Afar in northern Iraq.
      Each wave of explosions and shootings taking place throughout the country only incites public indignation towards the government, which is not able to stop hostilities. There is an increase in the number of Sunnis seeking to overthrow the Shiites, which is why everyone is afraid of a repeat of the Syrian events in Baghdad. "No one here believes the government’s statements that Al Qaeda is weak and is living out its last days in Iraq," said the 41-year-old Shiite Fuad Ali, who works for the government, Al Qaeda is much stronger than what Iraqi officials imagine, Ali added. “A terrorist group can organize big attacks and release its members from Iraqi prisons, which means that al Qaeda is stronger than our security forces.” The government has not been able to stop the growing number of victims since the beginning of this year. In a vast desert in western Iraq near the Syrian border, Iraqi law enforcement agencies have discovered the remains of new Mujahideen training camps, said Lieutenant General Ali Gaydan, Iraqi Army Commander. Gaidan told how last month the army raided the Al Jazeera region, which spans three provinces, and discovered the remains of 10 campgrounds that were dotted with thousands of bullet cartridges. “So these places were used as a shooting range for training terrorists,” said Gaidan, one of the highest-ranking officials in the Iraqi army.
      On two DVDs found during the raid on the territory of Al Jazeera, a video with mounted anti-aircraft machine guns was captured. Forty Mujahideen chanted takbir (Allahu Akbar) during machine-gun fire at the firing range. On separate frames, pickups with license plates of Anbar province are shown. Puppet officials believe the video was shot in the first three months of this year. Al-Qaeda leaders decided that Al-Jazeera is the best area for training their fighters, because it’s very difficult for security forces to get to it, ”said Iraqi MP Hakim al-Zamili.
      1. wolverine7778
        0
        26 October 2012 13: 25
        According to the intelligence of the ruling regime, at the moment, only 5 al-Qaeda training camps in the Al-Jazeera region are training more than 2 Iraqi mujahideen. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that, according to underestimated government estimates, there were supposedly 500 Al-Qaeda Mujahideen in Iraq at the time of the US withdrawal. In June 700, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told the US Senate that there were "2011" militants in Iraq .. Two senior Iraqi security officials said al-Qaeda Mujahideen could easily travel between Iraq and Syria in recent months to help Syrian rebels and Mujahideen to overthrow Assad. And in Anbar province, some Al Qaeda units regrouped and changed their name to the Free Iraqi Army, possibly planning to repeat the Syrian scenario in Iraq. Sheikh Hamid al-Hayes in Anbar Province, a retired security official, said the Free Iraqi Army was recruiting fighters and plans to overthrow the Shiite government in Baghdad. They are trying to imitate the Syrian revolution, said al-Hayes.
    15. Volkhov
      0
      26 October 2012 14: 34
      Iraq was already used as cannon fodder for pressure on Iran in 80-88, supplying arms from both the USA and the USSR, now they are again pumping up arms to poison Syria and Iran. What independence can there be after occupation - after all, there was no revolution ...
    16. gen.meleshkin
      +1
      26 October 2012 14: 40
      No! It’s just that the whole world is beginning to understand what the Americans are and make the right choices.
      1. Lucky
        0
        26 October 2012 23: 36
        The time will surely come when the whole world will unanimously turn its back on the Amerikos and impose its economic sanctions against them!)
        I propose to start with the fact that you do not buy phones and tablets epol!)))))
    17. +2
      26 October 2012 15: 11
      That's why it is the "echo of Moscow" to stink ...


      It is correct to call this station "Echo Matsy"))))
    18. Yarbay
      +4
      26 October 2012 15: 14
      Iraq-trump card?))))
      It can be seen again, though to breed Russia, to buy weapons on credit, then Maliki will sweep away and the new government will refuse to pay !!!
      1. 0
        27 October 2012 22: 27
        Quote: Yarbay
        Maliki will sweep away and the new government will refuse to pay !!!

        Also an option. Therefore: "money forward".
    19. Kshatriy
      +2
      26 October 2012 22: 00
      ..... "Former senior Pentagon security analyst Michael Maloof is right: Hussein has been overthrown, but Baghdad has turned to face Moscow." .........
      I respect the trait at the end of the publications by Oleg Chuvakin ....
      + for life .... (only Russia can easily turn its back ... (an example of this is Serbia ... sorry, but what can you do ...)
    20. +2
      26 October 2012 22: 02
      God grant that the pro-Russian lobby in Iraq would become stronger and that the Shiites would finally understand the need for joint action. If Iran, Iraq and Syria act as a united political front, the Americans and their hangers-on will only have to wipe themselves out.
      As for the "expert" IE "Echo of Moscow" - one could do with just one mention of this media resource. Say something there said "expert" and "echo".
      Even a primary school student can guess the content of their "examinations".
    21. 0
      26 October 2012 22: 15
      The main thing is a positive trend for Russia in the region. And how it is used depends on what our rulers want to get - momentary economic benefits or mutual peaceful prosperity of peoples in the future.
    22. +2
      27 October 2012 00: 30
      Very informative article, congratulations to the author!
      History often surprises and defeats justice. America was godlessly atrocious in Iraq and this could not help but come back to haunt. Iraqis hate America and this is for a long time!
    23. +1
      27 October 2012 04: 48
      It seems to me that this Al-Maliki, the Head of Iraq, is a courageous person. And besides, it’s far from necessary. It’s necessary to ramp up against the Americans like that, at the same time make peace with the Kurds, help Syria, take a step towards Russia and begin military consultations with Iran. And most importantly, what will Iraq do? Again the war with another occupation? Of course, they can remove Al-Maliki himself, but, I say, people are brave along the way.
    24. 0
      27 October 2012 12: 57
      I'd like to believe.
    25. 0
      27 October 2012 15: 59
      Personally, I am for the Confederation from Syria, Iraq, Iran, allied to the Russian Federation, the Autonomous Republic of Kurdistan as part of the Confederation.
    26. Karish
      -2
      27 October 2012 17: 17
      Quote: Megatron
      Personally, I am for the Confederation of the Russian Federation from Syria, Iraq, Iran, as part of the Confederation - Autonomous Republic of Kurdistan

      Not enough of your problems?
    27. 0
      27 October 2012 19: 22
      The fact of the matter is that without strong support, all this Arab porridge will be very hard to disentangle!
    28. -1
      28 October 2012 03: 03
      It does not say at all about the Chinese factor, as if it were necessary. The article is not too deep.

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