The Russians are the fox in the Middle East hen house.
Long time ago, when GWB was looking into 'the soul' of Putin, maybe, shoulda, woulda, coulda ....
stick something in the heart.
Unfortunately we were too quick in celebrating the demise of the evil empire.
When I look at Vladimir Putin, I only see Hammers and Sickles in his eyes.
Yes and No.
While the Soviets facilitated the development of WMD's in Iraq, particularly nuclear, the current problem is not one of official endorsement, but of Russian military officers and scientists who are selling goods and services to the highest bidder.
The Iraqis never needed much help in the chem/bio department, though it was provided, since these weapons are not hard to make as long as you have lots of money, competent scientists, and a place to work. Plus, all the equipment is dual use. The same equipment needed to make baby formula, yogurt or fertilizer can make bio/chem weapons, and vis-versa.
The nuclear is a different story. There the Iraqis needed, and received, help from both France and the Soviet Union. After the collaspe of the Soviet Regime, countries like Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea and others began courting Russian and other former Bloc scientists. Not hard to do since most were no longer receiving paychecks from their governments. The same with a lot of generals with access to sensitive materials.
Post Soviet governments, whether Yeltsin or Putin or whoever, had very little control over this. Things were complete chaos under Yeltsin. Things are marginally better now that Putin is in charge. Official government policy means littel were there is massive unemployment and hard currency can buy anything that is not nailed down (and much that is).