Russia Promises More Workers For Iraq

In a rare glimpse of international optimism regarding Iraq's future, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov promised to increase the number of energy industry specialists his country sends to Iraq. Currently, there are about 200 Russians working to restore and improve the energy capabilities of Iraq.

From MOSNEWS.com:

"We have good perspectives in other areas, first of all in the oil and gas, especially taking the existing contracts into consideration," Lavrov said.

The minister said Russia intended to help Iraq restore its economics. "We intend to develop our relationship, especially at this transition, taking into consideration the efforts of the Iraqi government in restoring economics and social economical sphere."

"Currently, hundreds of Iraqi students are studying in Russia, on free state scholarships in particular, and we will intensify our endowment to stabilize the situation in a friendly country," Lavrov said.

One might say that Russia is just hedging its bets. Or, one could believe that Russia foresees a prosperous economic future for Iraq and it's prudent to maintain a close working relationship with the country. Either way, I believe the Iraqis will benefit.