The Middle East is experiencing several conflicts at the regional level (Russia-Turkey), the religious sectarian level (Sunni-Shiite), the ethnic level (Kurd-Arab-Turkmen) and the political level (US-led front-Russian-led front). The situation has plunged the Iraqi public into conflicts that remain unresolved despite numerous attempts to address them. Regional as well as international parties have invested heavily in these conflicts in an attempt to protect their interests.

The involvement of major powers in the Middle East has turned communities into political tools. Each community relies on its patron power to fight an opposing community. As the situation changes, the roles of the conflicting powers shift in the sectarian collective imagination.

When the United States advanced Shiite interests by overthrowing Saddam Hussein and his Sunni Baath Party in 2003, Russia was on the Sunnis' side. Moscow maintained good relations with the Baathist regime until the very end and had opposed the US-led invasion. When US President George W. Bush issued his ultimatum on March 18, 2003, for the Iraqi president to leave the country within 48 hours or face war against the United States and its allies, Russia declined to join the allied coalition.

The equation that existed in 2003 has since changed. Now Russia and the Shiites are on the same side, fighting the Islamic State (IS) while supporting the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Russia launched military airstrike operations in Syria on Sep. 30. Meanwhile, the United States, in league with its Sunni allies in the Gulf and Turkey, continued to work toward toppling Assad.