Al-Maliki Closer to a Second Term? Allawi’s Dilemma...........
“Iraqi rivals are reportedly close to agree on reinstating the country's incumbent premier Nouri al-Maliki, making significant progress towards resolving the current political stalemate. Al-Maliki's State of Law coalition has reportedly joined talks with archrival and predecessor, Iyad Allawi's al-Iraqiya Alliance on the deadlock that followed the parliamentary polls earlier in the year. Candidates from each side vied for seats in the March 7 elections, which saw al-Iraqiya coming narrowly first but lacking an absolute majority……” Press TV (Iran)
It looks like the Iranians may be moving toward a reluctant ‘acceptance’ of renewal for al-Maliki. He had been harshly treated by some of their unofficial but conservative media recently. Al-Maliki has been flirting with Ayad Allawi’s mainly Sunni group (post-Biden), after he flirted and did some serious making out with the INA (al-Hakeem and al-Sadr). Iraqi media report today that he is back to dating the INA again. This latest development was expected (at least by me): Allawi has no base of political power since his current allies are Sunnis, and he needs the prime ministership as a base on which to build. He knows that he will be out on his own, most likely, after the political dust settles unless he gets one of the two top jobs. He needs one of the two top jobs. But the Kurds want to keep the presidency and the Shi’as do not trust him to head the government.
On the other hand, there is a media psychological war going on between the Iranians and the Saudis, with each side touting the progress of their candidate(s). The Iranains have the advantage because they can accept any of several (Shi'a) candidates, including Allawi. The Saudis have only one Shi'a that they feel they can reluctantly get along with and that is Allawi, and the reason they can get along with him is that they think he will give top jobs to Sunnis. No doubt they would prefer an unelected Sunni dictator (talk of oxymorons) like before.
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