Is Russia a Good Ally for Kurdistan?

Russia's economic and political role in the region is growing.  Its recognition of the KRG and its work with the KRG on economic and political issues are significant.  Moving forward means learning to address old problems with new solutions.  Turkey remains a threat poised on the border of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region.  Russia is a power that has recognized the Kurdish nation.  IntelliBriefs website reports: "Russia has made significant strategic forays in the Middle East especially in countries which were known to be strong military allies of the United States.  Today it has both a political and strategic foothold in the Middle East."  Russia has not been oblivious to Turkish actions on the border of northern Iraq in its plans against the Kurdish peoples and nation.  In 2007, Leonid Ivashov, president of the Academy of Geopolitical Sciences in Moscow, elaborated that such an invasion would create a "hotspot" for Russia close to its borders. He predicted that such a Turkish invasion would create "instability, risks and challenges that would be very hard to deal with."  The Russian parliament passed an appeal in 2007 to the Turkish government calling on it to show "wisdom and restraint," and warning about possible negative consequences of a cross-border military campaign.