Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iraq Over Potential al-Maliki Return
Former United States President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to Iraq, stating that the US would terminate its support for the Middle Eastern nation if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is reinstated to power. This threat was made public through a post on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday, local time.
The Context of the Threat
Trump's warning comes in the wake of significant political developments in Iraq. Al-Maliki has recently been nominated as the prime ministerial candidate by the pro-Iran Coordination Framework, which represents the largest Shia bloc within Iraq's parliament. This nomination has raised concerns in Washington about increasing Iranian influence in the region.
In his social media post, Trump expressed strong disapproval, writing, "I’m hearing that the Great Country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister. Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos." He emphasized that such an outcome should not be allowed to recur.
Trump's Rationale and Ultimatum
The former president elaborated on his stance, attributing potential failure to al-Maliki's policies. "Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom," Trump asserted. He concluded his message with the signature phrase, "MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN," echoing his well-known campaign slogan.
This threat is not an isolated incident. It follows recent diplomatic efforts by the US government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a phone conversation with Iraq's incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stressed that a government dominated by Iran would be detrimental to both Iraq and the United States.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, quoted by AFP, summarized Rubio's position: "The secretary emphasised that a government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq's own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq."
Who is Nouri al-Maliki?
Nouri al-Maliki is a prominent figure in Iraqi politics, with a career spanning decades. He is the former Prime Minister of Iraq and currently serves as the chief of the Islamic Dawa party. His political journey began in the early 1970s when he opposed the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
To escape a death sentence, al-Maliki fled Iraq in 1979 and remained in exile until 2003. His return was facilitated by the US-led coalition invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein's government. Following this, al-Maliki served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, from 2006 to 2014, establishing himself as one of the most influential Shiite leaders in post-Saddam Iraq.
During his tenure, al-Maliki played a pivotal role in the execution of Saddam Hussein, refusing to grant a stay or allow reviews, which led to the execution on December 30, 2006. After his second term, amid criticism for failing to curb the rise of the Islamic State, he stepped down in 2014. However, he remained active in politics, serving as Vice President from 2014 to 2015 and again from 2016 to 2018.
Al-Maliki is married to Faleeha Khalil and is a father to four daughters and one son. His potential return to power has sparked significant debate and concern, both domestically and internationally, particularly regarding Iraq's future alliances and stability.
