Trump Warns Iraq of Aid Cut if Al-Maliki Returns

President Donald Trump warned Iraq on Tuesday that the United States would withdraw support if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power, following the nomination of al-Maliki by the country's largest Shiite political alliance. The statement, posted on Trump's Truth Social platform, highlighted concerns over al-Maliki's previous tenure and its potential to undermine Iraq's stability amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump described the potential reinstatement as a "very bad choice," attributing Iraq's past descent into poverty and chaos to al-Maliki's policies during his time in office from 2006 to 2014. "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," Trump wrote, ending with the phrase "MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN." The post came days after the Coordination Framework, a Shiite-led alliance holding a parliamentary majority, announced al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister on Saturday. The nomination followed national elections in November, where incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's...