October 15, 2010
UPI

U.S. Won't Support a Maliki-Sadr Alliance

Washington said it would no longer back incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki unless he breaks ties with Moqtada Sadr, a source said.

Maliki moved close to the 163-seat majority needed to form a government in Iraq after lawmakers loyal to Sadr, an anti-American cleric, their support behind the incumbent. . . .

Iraqi has gone 222 days since March 7 elections gave the secular Iraqiya slate a two-seat win in parliamentary elections, a world record in being unable to form a government after a vote.

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Warren P. Strobel, "State Dept. Planning To Field A Small Army In Iraq," McClatchy Newspapers, July 22, 2010

Timothy William and Duraid Adnan, "Sunnis in Iraq Allied With U.S. Rejoin Rebels," nytimes.com, October 16, 2010

[The Guardian can reveal that the Islamic republic was instrumental in forming an alliance between Iraq's Nouri al-Maliki, who is vying for a second term as prime minister, and the country's powerful radical Shia cleric leader, Moqtada al-Sadr.

The deal - which involved Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and the highest authorities in Shia Islam - positions Maliki as a frontrunner to return as leader despite a seven-month stalemate between Iraq's feuding political blocs.--Martin Chulov, "Iran brokers behind-the-scenes deal for pro-Tehran government in Iraq," Guardian, October 17, 2010]

Jon Basil Utley, "Iraq's Dysfunctional Democracy: It was doomed from the start by a fatal constitutional flaw: proportional representation," amconmag.com, November 9, 2010

[The United States is facing a decisive political defeat in Iraq over the formation of a new government, as its influence in the country sinks lower than at any time since the invasion of 2003.--Patrick Cockburn, "Sun sets on US influence in Iraq as deal on new government looms," Independent, November 11, 2010]

Patrick Cockburn, "Maliki to stay PM but leaders cut his powers," Independent, November 12, 2010

"Nouri al-Maliki sworn in for second term: Iraq names cabinet after nine-month power struggle, with Maliki retaining his role as PM," Guardian, December 22, 2010

Wikileaks: Iraq War Logs