Nouri al-Maliki

Why Trump decided to back Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi

The US's backing of al-Zaidi signifies a strategic move to counter Iranian influence in Iraq amid ongoing regional tensions.

• •Trump backed Ali al-Zaidi to prevent a pro-Iran candidate.
• •The US pressured Iraq's Coordination Framework with financial and security aid suspensions.
• •Ali al-Zaidi is a banker with no previous political experience.