Iraqi PM in Moscow for massive arms deal

Russia: Russia eyes a record arms deal and rare agreement over Syria on Tuesday when it hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the first time in almost four years.

Maliki arrived in Moscow for three days of discussions Monday that media reports speculated would conclude with the signing of a $4.3 billion arms deal that makes Russia Iraq's biggest supplier after the United States.

www.timesofoman.com...

Not really sure what to make of this off the bat.

Is Iraq really in a stable situation to be purchasing jets, helicopters and an arsenal of weapons?

Surely their populace is still struggling from a decade of occupation and slaughter.

Sounds odd, wonder what the US think of this.



Edit to add, good opportunity for the US to get its hands on Russian gear, see what Iran and Syria really have to play with.

reply to post by Agit8dChop


Maybe a vacuum created by US military leaving Iraq?

They have seen an uptick in violence, and I don't see the US reversing their decision, perhaps an opportunity for the Russians to jump in for some $$$ and more importantly some strategic influence once again?

Russia, like the US, participates in "Offset" of Military deals (a credit based system where you invest in the economic development of the buyer) - so it's entirely plausible Iraq's goal here is other business, education, etc. that they don't think the US will be able (and unwilling) to provide, or the populace ready to accept, in the coming years. Iraq is taking some cues from Iran's Russian missteps, the Chinese parallels, and hoping to start off where Iran has ended up - with a lot of regional leverage.

Russia, for its part, might be hoping to have the same regional power-balance (and the expected uncertainty) that the US has a few decades ago by leveraging Iraq against Iran. It could help their interests in the region plus their continued jockeying against (and/or with?) the Chinese.

This all bodes poorly for the US in my estimation and was entirely preventable early in the Iraqi incursion.. but that's another rant. -Mags

Are the Iraqis really this dumb? They should have figured out by now the.white Boyz countries have been playing them and their neighbors. They should have bought Chinese if they wanted to ever free themselves. Their last Russian junk fell pretty quick and most was destroyed without ever firing a shot when they were slaughtered the last time.

Let stupid be stupid I guess.