... importance of Iraq projects for Russian decision-makers. In Iraq itself, Russia engages with both Erbil and Baghdad. If a conflict arises, Russian companies display flexibility and succeed in retaining their positions. Overall, Russian investment in Iraq energy projects demonstrates the strategic nature of structuring Russia’s Iraq policies and their growing interdependence.
... working paper was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council as part of the RIAC’s project on «Conflicts in the Middle East: Tools and Strategies for Settlement». This paper is devoted to analyzing the situation in the oil and gas market in Iraq and Syria, as well as the energy policy of Russia in the Arab Mashreq region. The authors also analyze Iraq’s oil prospects in the post-war period under sanctions against Iran. Special attention is paid to the Kurdish factor and the role the Kurds play in the future of energy ...