USA Today reports that “the United States’ top military officer said… that Iraq is not planning to turn to Russia for airstrikes and other military assistance in its fight against Islamic State militants.”  

“’Both the minister of defense and the prime minister said absolutely there is no request right now for the Russians to support them,’ Marine Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said following a daylong visit to Iraq. Dunford met there with Iraqi and coalition officials.”  

“’I said it would make it very difficult for us to be able to provide the kind of support you need if the Russians were here conducting operations as well providing air support,’ Dunford said he told Iraq’s leaders.”