's relations with Iraq would prove to be a continuing complicating factor, since Russia had its own agenda in the region. First, the Russian leadership sought to demonstrate to the world and to an often hostile Duma (Russia's parliament) that Russia remained an important actor in world affairs, one both willing and bale to oppose the United States. Second, Russia was seeking the repayment of $7 billion owed by Iraq to the former Soviet Union, which could only occur after the lifting of sanctions on Iraq. Third, Russian arms manufacturers and oil and gas companies sought contracts in Iraq, even though they cannot actually begin operations until after sanctions are lifted. With these interests in mind, it is easy to explain Russian behavior during the crises with Iraq in 1997 and 1998.
In the fall of 1997, US weapons inspectors, in Iraq as part of the UN inspection team (UNSCOM), checking on Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction, were prohibited by Iraq from carrying out their mission and left the country, followed by the other UN inspectors. T
...