TRUMP WARNS US MAY WITHDRAW AID TO IRAQ IF FORMER LEADER REGAINS POWER. (PHOTO).
Trump warns US may withdraw aid to Iraq if former leader regains power President Trump on Tuesday warned that the United States would “no longer help Iraq” if Nuri Kamal al-Maliki returned as the country’s prime minister, marking another direct intervention in Iraq’s political affairs amid ongoing U.S. efforts to limit Iranian influence in Baghdad. Maliki, nominated by Iraq’s main Shiite bloc last Saturday, previously served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014. While the U.S. supported him initially, his second term drew criticism for sectarian policies that contributed to the rise of the Islamic State. Trump took to Truth Social, stating that Maliki’s return would prevent Iraq from achieving “Success, Prosperity, or Freedom” without American support. The warning comes as Iraq balances pressures from both the U.S. and Iran, with Tehran maintaining strong ties to many Shiite leaders, including Maliki. Republican lawmakers, including Representative Joe Wilson, have echoed the admini...