Possible return of Iraq's Maliki stirs spectres of past chaos and Trump threats

The potential return of Nouri al-Maliki as Iraq's prime minister is causing concern due to his controversial previous tenure from 2006 to 2014, which was marked by sectarianism, corruption, and the rise of the Islamic State group. This prospect has drawn a direct threat from former US President Donald Trump, who warned that the US would no longer help Iraq if Maliki came back to power. Maliki, now seen by the US as an ally of Iran, has dismissed the threats as a contravention of Iraq's democratic process. The situation highlights the significant stakes for Iraq's stability and its complex relationship with both the United States and Iran.