Changes

====Russia and non-Muslim federated Republics====

====Russia and non-Muslim federated Republics====

After its founding in 1992 the [[Russian Federation]] fought several [[insurgency|insurgencies]] against al-Qaeda affiliates within its borders.<ref>See Civil war in Tajikistan and Second Chechen War.</ref> By 2012 many veteran jihadis of the Chechen Wars showed up in Syria, playing an important roll as combat leaders and trainers for a younger generation of recruits of the Islamic State during the Syrian Civil War.<ref> http://www.rferl.mobi/a/chechen-syria-fighting-kadyrov/25022321.html ; it should be noted ethnic Chechen fighters also fought as mercenaries for both the Assad and anti-Assad (Saudi funded) forces in the early days of the Syrian conflict, and later as Special Operations Forces (SOF) during the Russian ground intervention.</ref>

After its founding in 1992 the [[Russian Federation]] fought several [[insurgency|insurgencies]] against al-Qaeda affiliates within its borders.<ref>See Civil war in Tajikistan and [[Second Chechen War]].</ref> By 2012 many veteran jihadis of the Chechen Wars showed up in Syria, playing an important roll as combat leaders and trainers for a younger generation of recruits of the Islamic State during the Syrian Civil War.<ref> http://www.rferl.mobi/a/chechen-syria-fighting-kadyrov/25022321.html ; it should be noted ethnic Chechen fighters also fought as mercenaries for both the Assad and anti-Assad (Saudi funded) forces in the early days of the Syrian conflict, and later as Special Operations Forces (SOF) during the Russian ground intervention.</ref>

By early 2015 Russia was openly providing military assistance to Iran<ref >http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/01/20/russia-iran-sign-military-cooperation-deal/22037329/ </ref> and at year's end intervened to support the Alawite regime in the war against al-Nusra, ISIS, and groups the U.S. State Department dubbed "moderate rebels" of the "Syrian opposition".<ref>[https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/02/18/the-media-are-misleading-public-syria/8YB75otYirPzUCnlwaVtcK/story.html The Media are misleading the public on Syria], Steven Kinzer, Boston Globe, 16 Feb. 2016.</ref>  

By early 2015 Russia was openly providing military assistance to Iran<ref >http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/01/20/russia-iran-sign-military-cooperation-deal/22037329/ </ref> and at year's end intervened to support the Alawite regime in the war against al-Nusra, ISIS, and groups the U.S. State Department dubbed "moderate rebels" of the "Syrian opposition".<ref>[https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/02/18/the-media-are-misleading-public-syria/8YB75otYirPzUCnlwaVtcK/story.html The Media are misleading the public on Syria], Steven Kinzer, Boston Globe, 16 Feb. 2016.</ref>