In fact, Russia can already hit ISIL targets in Iraq, but since its aircraft are stationed in Latakia, Western Syria, Russian fighters have to spend less time bombing their targets in Iraq than they do it in Syria.
That's why it would have been more effective for Russia to set up an air force base in Iraq, so Russian planes could carry out their operations without having to fly back to air bases in Syria, Stratfor said.
"There are already many unused runways available to the Russians there, and the recent deployment into Syria has shown Russia is perfectly capable of establishing an effective air base in about a month," Stratfor pointed out.
However, to build an air base in Iraq, Russia will have to commit more resources to install logistical support systems and deploy ground forces to provide protection for an air base. This would certainly come at a cost and it's not likely that Moscow wants to commit a lot of money, Stratfor reported.
Finally, it will depend largely on Iraq itself whether it wants to invite Russians into its own territory. The Iraqi government understands that the US forces spent a great deal of time and resources in the country and that's why Washington wouldn't be particularly pleased if the Iraqis asked the Russians to come in. Thus, Stratfor predicted that the Iraqi government wouldn't want to strain its relationship with the United States.
