US EditionIraq's Maliki Says He Would Welcome Decision to Replace Him as PM Candidate
The Shia parliamentary alliance's nomination of Maliki, backed by Iran, challenges US opposition and raises concerns over Iraq's domestic stability and regional alignments.
- On January 24, 2026, Iraq's Coordination Framework formally nominated former prime minister Nouri al‑Maliki despite little visible opposition before U.S. intervention; the Framework is a broad Shia parliamentary majority.
- A mix of elite bargaining and external backing explains the move, as Tehran and pro‑Iranian factions supported Maliki amid a more hands‑off early U.S. engagement.
- Historical evidence of sectarian policies and corruption under Maliki clarifies critics' worries as his two earlier terms saw entrenched government cronyism and alignment with President Bashar al‑Assad's Syria.
- On January 27, President Donald Trump opposed Maliki, and US officials warned they could withdraw support, forcing the Framework into a hard choice as the COR vote was delayed.
- If Maliki returns, U.S.‑Iran tensions could escalate into regional spillover, with Iraqi pro‑Iran Shia militias possibly increasing activity and his third term testing Iraq's sovereignty and future trajectory.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Al-Monitor
Iraq's Maliki says he would welcome decision to replace him as PM candidate
Feb 3 (Reuters) - Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, nominated by a powerful alliance of Shi'ite political parties to return to the premiership, said on Tuesday that he would welcome a decision to replace his candidacy.On January 27, U.S. President Donald Trump said that if Maliki, who served as prime minister for most of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, were chosen to return to the post, Washington would no longer help Iraq, a major oil pro…
Maliki’s comeback: A high-stakes test for Iraq’s future
Last month, Iraq's Coordination Framework made a striking choice to nominate former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to reclaim the country’s top leadership position. The announcement has sparked a firestorm of reactions, both within Iraq and abroad, as Maliki, the first elected Iraqi prime minister since Saddam’s fall in 2003 and the only one to serve two terms (2006-14), remains a deeply polarising figure. While the 75-year-old’s return to power…
Donald Trump set up a threat against Iraq in a tirade that was surprising for many. There, a politician close to Iran is to become the next head of government. For the US president, the unpleasant consequences would be if he decided to attack Iran.
US threatening Iraq over who runs the country - The Press United
The White House has reportedly signaled cuts to Iraq’s oil-export revenues if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power The US has warned Iraq of possible economic repercussions if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing sources. Last month, Iraq’s Shiite bloc in parliament nominated the 75-year-old al-Maliki, […] The post US threatening Iraq over who runs the country appeared fi…
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