US President Donald Trump has issued a pointed warning against the possible nomination of Nouri al-Maliki as Iraqi prime minister, saying Washington would not accept the return of an Iran-aligned government in Baghdad. Iraqi political actors are meanwhile buying time as they assess their options amid rising regional tensions and a renewed US threat to (MEES, 30 January) hit the country’s oil revenues.
“Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom” if Nouri al-Maliki comes back to power, Mr Trump said, adding that the US would no longer support the country. The 27 January Truth Social post made the president’s opposition to Mr Maliki’s nomination crystal clear, and Iraqi politicians are scrambling to bring the government formation process back on track amid tight constitutional deadlines and the threat of punitive measures by the US. (CONTINUED - 1931 WORDS)
