Iraq joins Russia, Syria and Iran in new intelligence/security pact

[Valin]

Hot Air:

Bruce McQuain

September 28, 2015

 

If ever there was proof of Russia’s intentions in the Middle East, * it can be seen in a just announced 4 nation pact there:

 

 

Iraq joined Russia, Iran and Syria in a new agreement to strengthen cooperation against extremist group Islamic State, extending the Kremlin’s reach in the Middle East as it rivals Washington for influence.

[…]

Iraq’s Defense Ministry said Sunday that the country had signed an intelligence and security cooperation pact with Russia, Iran and Syria, pledging to cooperate in collecting information about Islamic State. The deal effectively formalizes years of military collaboration among the four nations, which have intermittently been allies since the 1980s.

 

 

Wonderful. And who, pray, is on the outside looking in and surprised by the pact?

 

 

U.S. officials appeared to be taken by surprise by the announcement of the four-nation security pact and said they were still struggling to understand Mr. Putin’s long-term strategy for the region. Mr. Kerry, they said, kept open the possibility that the White House and Kremlin could coordinate, if not cooperate, in fighting Islamic State.

 

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Just when I think these people can't possibly get any dumber...they (once again) prove me wrong.

* behind pay wall Google Deal With Iraq to Fight Islamic State Extends Russia’s Reach in Middle East