As Russia began bombing neighboring Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he would welcome the extension of Russian airstrikes to Iraq, a move that could potentially diminish the U.S. role in battling Islamic State militants in the country. “It’s a possibility; if we get the offer we’ll consider it,” he said in an interview with France 24 television in New York that is due to be broadcast Thursday. “In actual fact, I would welcome it.” However, airstrikes have not been discussed “yet,” Abadi told the network Wednesday night. A senior Russian diplomat said on Thursday that Moscow would consider carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq if it received a request for intervention from the Iraqi government. “If we have either a corresponding request from the government of Iraq or a resolution from the U.N. Security Council, […]