President Trump has threatened to withdraw US support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, linked to Iran, is re-elected, citing past chaos and poverty during Maliki’s previous tenure. Maliki was recently nominated by a Shia coalition, but Iraq’s presidential election was delayed due to candidate disagreements. Concerns about Iranian influence in Iraq have been voiced by US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Maliki’s earlier leadership was marked by sectarian violence and the rise of the Islamic State.
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