Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria no longer trust US intelligence agencies. After the establishment of their joint intelligence headquarters in Baghdad, the region has experienced a significant shift of power, DWN wrote.
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Since September 30, the Russian Air Force has been carrying out�attacks against�the ISIL terrorist group in�Syria. The military operation was launched after�an official request of�the Syrian government.

Meanwhile, Russia has extended its counterterrorism activities on�Iraq as�well. Close intelligence cooperation with�Russia has been underway since�last month when a joint intelligence center was set up�in Baghdad.

With the establishment of�the facility, Russia, Syria, Iran and Iraq institutionalized the exchange of�intelligence information and improved the coordination of�their counterterrorism efforts. The purpose of�this newly established institution is predominantly of�an intelligence-sharing nature and primarily includes the collection and analysis of�relevant information to�better coordinate operational activities in�the fight against�ISIL.

According to�DWN, the creation of�the new institution is not a surprising step. The Iraqi government has long been disappointed in�the activities of�the Western coalition and low efficiency of�its military operation, which has not prevented the steady growth of�ISIL on�Iraqi territory and has had quite the opposite�effect.

The mistrust of�Iraqi officials toward�the US has been steadily growing and the establishment of�the intelligence center in�Baghdad can therefore been considered an expression of�unfulfilled Iraqi expectations towards�the United States, DWN wrote.

At the same time, the close cooperation of�Iraqi structures with�Russia is likely to�have a negative impact on�the quality of�their existing cooperation with�the United States. The growing distance between�the US and the Iraqi government lets the United States fear that it may to�lose its positions in�the Middle East and its political influence on�the country.
By Sputnik News