Iraq’s Nouri al-Maliki was nominated for Prime Minister by the Shi’ite bloc in Iraq’s parliament on Jan. 24, “virtually ensuring,” reports RT, “the 75-year-old politician’s appointment once a new President is elected.” Al-Maliki was Prime Minister from 2006-2014, following the war on Iraq that removed Saddam Hussein in 2003. At the time, the U.S. opposed his close relations with Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denounced the decision and threatened to prevent it, posting on Truth Social: “Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again.” Not mentioned was the mass destruction of the country caused by the illegal U.S.-led war. Trump accused Maliki of promoting “insane policies and ideologies” and threatened to withdraw U.S. aid if he regained power.
“We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” al-Maliki wrote on X in response, “considering it a violation of its sovereignty…. The language of dialogue between states is the only political option for engagement, not resorting to the language of dictates and threats.”
