President Donald Trump has threatened to terminate U.S. support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki once again ascends to power. Maliki, who has affiliations with Iran, was named as the nominee for prime minister by a coalition of Shia-led parties over the weekend. Trump expressed strong disapproval on his platform Truth Social, calling Maliki a 'very bad choice' and reflecting on the chaos and poverty that marked Iraq during Maliki's previous term from 2006 to 2014.
After stepping down amid the rise of the Islamic State group, Maliki's administration was criticized for sectarian violence and a heavy-handed approach to governance. This recent nomination appears poised to face resistance, not only from the U.S. but also amid internal disagreements within Iraq's political framework, particularly concerning the links of influential Shia groups to Iran's Islamic Republic.
As Iraq's parliament prepared for a presidential election, Trump reiterated that without U.S. backing, Iraq would have 'zero' chances of success, emphasizing the complexities of foreign intervention in domestic governance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated similar concerns over Maliki’s Iran ties, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Iraq, subject to Maliki's re-emergence as a central political figure.
After stepping down amid the rise of the Islamic State group, Maliki's administration was criticized for sectarian violence and a heavy-handed approach to governance. This recent nomination appears poised to face resistance, not only from the U.S. but also amid internal disagreements within Iraq's political framework, particularly concerning the links of influential Shia groups to Iran's Islamic Republic.
As Iraq's parliament prepared for a presidential election, Trump reiterated that without U.S. backing, Iraq would have 'zero' chances of success, emphasizing the complexities of foreign intervention in domestic governance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated similar concerns over Maliki’s Iran ties, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Iraq, subject to Maliki's re-emergence as a central political figure.
