Trump warns Iraq against returning former PM al-Maliki to power amid worries about Iran influence
The Hindu
Trump warns Iraq against re-electing al-Maliki, citing concerns over Iran's influence and potential U.S. withdrawal of support.
President Donald Trump warned Iraq on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) that the U.S. would no longer support the country if its former prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, returns to power.
Mr. Trump made the threat days after the dominant political bloc known as the Coordination Framework, a collection of Shiite parties, announced it was backing the nomination of Mr. al-Maliki, who the U.S. administration views as too close to Iran.
“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Mr. Trump said in a social media post announcing his opposition to Mr. al-Maliki.
“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.”
Mr. Trump's intervention into Iraqi politics comes at a fraught moment for him in West Asia as he weighs carrying out new strikes on Iraq's neighbour Iran, which has maintained deep influence in Iraq's government since the U.S. ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Mr. Trump has left open the possibility of military action in response to Tehran's deadly crackdown on recent protests against the Islamic government.
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