Trump Says US Will End Support If Nouri al-Maliki Returns to Power

If Nouri al-Maliki, a previous prime minister with connections to the US’s longstanding adversary Iran, is returned in the position, President Donald Trump has vowed to withdraw US funding for Iraq.

In his most recent meddling in another nation’s affairs, Trump declared on Tuesday that Iraq would be making a “very bad choice” by selecting al-Maliki, who was only a few days earlier the nominee of the Coordination Framework, the biggest Shia party in parliament.

“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq,” the US president continued.

“If we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”

The Republican president’s drive to limit the influence of Iran-affiliated organizations in Iraq, which has long balanced between its two closest allies, Washington and Tehran, is best illustrated by Trump’s remarks.

US officials stated in a letter that although Iraq chooses the prime minister, “the United States will make its own sovereign decisions regarding the next government in line with American interests.”

The Reuters news agency reported last week that Washington has threatened key Iraqi lawmakers with penalties if Iran-backed armed groups are included in the next administration as part of Trump’s pressure campaign.

Nouri al-Maliki, 75, is a prominent member of the Shia Islamist Dawa Party. Growing tensions with the US and a power struggle with Sunni and Kurdish competitors characterized his tenure as prime minister from 2006 to 2014.

After ISIL (ISIS) took control of much of the nation in 2014, he resigned, but he has continued to be a significant political figure, heading the State of Law alliance and keeping close links with groups supported by Iran.

Due to an agreement made following the US invasion that overthrew Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003, the majority of Iraq’s oil export earnings are stored at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, giving the US significant influence over the country.