Moscow’s Iraq strategy: Make lots of friends

... media reports, but the company has not confirmed the news. Marianna Charountaki: The Evolution of the Peshmerga vs. the Case of Islamic State in Iraq Iraq is important for Russia not only as an economic and trade partner, but also as a factor in influencing ... ... meetings, one can see Moscow’s attempts to maintain contacts with virtually all important actors — from major politicians in Iraqi Kurdistan such as Massoud Barzani, Iraqi Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Mahdi al-Alaq , Vice President ...