Why Trump decided to back Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi
Summary
President Donald Trump has supported Ali al-Zaidi as Iraq’s prime minister to prevent a pro-Iran leader from taking power. The US pressured Iraq by cutting financial aid and security cooperation until a compromise candidate acceptable to Washington was chosen.Key Facts
- Iraq’s Coordination Framework coalition initially backed former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is pro-Iran.
- President Trump opposed al-Maliki and threatened to cut all US aid if he became prime minister.
- The US suspended cash payments from Iraq's oil revenues held in a New York bank, plus security assistance.
- Ali al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker with no prior political office, was chosen quickly as a compromise.
- Al-Zaidi was approved unanimously within 25 minutes by the Iraqi parliamentary coalition.
- The US trusts al-Zaidi because he is seen as a political outsider and not under US sanctions.
- Washington expects al-Zaidi to take action against Iran-backed militias before fully restoring aid.
- The US demand includes removing militias from government, stopping their funding, and denying their salaries.
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