Stratfor: The Cost of an Expanded Russian Campaign
Forecast
• Russia's current position in Syria as well as its naval assets in the Caspian Sea and long-range bombers in southern Russia would accommodate operations against the Islamic State in Iraq, but it could strike more effectively and more frequently using bases in Iraq itself.
• Setting up bases in Iraq would cost Russia more money, time and effort and could antagonize the United States.
• Through its operations in Syria, Russia is testing its capability to conduct air campaigns. It is a first for post-Soviet Russia and will shape Russia's future air campaigns.
Analysis
The start of Russian airstrikes in Syria has given new hope to loyalist forces in their battle against a host of rebel factions, including the Islamic State. Now comments out of Baghdad and Moscow suggest that Russia may expand these operations into Iraq if requested to do so by Baghdad. Indeed, from its position in Latakia, Russia has the range to strike Islamic State targets in Iraq, although further deployment of resources may be required to do so effectively.
WNU Editor: Would the U.S. want to work with the Russian military in Iraq .... share the same air space and intelligence .... I doubt it.
2 comments:
US allies and its supporters lost their faith on US Military work
The capability is there; it's dependent on what the leadership, especially the civilian leadership, decides to do.
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