The Obama administration is pushing for regime change in Iraq on the basis that current prime minister Nouri al Maliki is too sectarian. The fact is, however, that Maliki’s abusive treatment of Sunnis never factored into Washington’s decision to have him removed. Whether he has been “too sectarian� or not is completely irrelevant. The real... Read More

After eight years as Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki, deserted by his allies, has finally stood down and will be replaced by Haider al-Abadi. Applause for the new Iraqi leader, not always a front runner for the succession, has come from individuals, parties and countries which normally detest each other, such as Iran, the... Read More

Iraq’s new President appointed Haider al-Abadi as the Prime Minister today, damaging the hopes of Nouri al Maliki of serving a third term in the position and raising the possibility of civil conflict in Baghdad, even as militants threaten the capital. Mr Maliki is reluctant to give up his ambition despite military defeat and the... Read More

Iraqi army troops have advanced to the entrance of Tikrit but insurgents hold the rest of the city, from which people have fled in expectation of a battle. There is no electricity or water and the streets are empty. “It is a town of ghosts,� said Abu Nahib who had just brought his sister from... Read More

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is rejecting calls for an interim “national salvation government� that would seek to represent all Iraqi communities, claiming that such a government, under which he would step down, would be “a coup against the constitution�. Mr Maliki is opposed by the Sunni, Kurds, several Shia parties, the US and the... Read More