The Briefing Former Iraq prime minister Nouri al-Maliki rejects US threats over potential comeback
Jan 30, 2026
Loveday Morris, Washington Post Baghdad reporter who covers Iraqi politics, explains Nouri al-Maliki’s contested return and regional pressures. Noman Chinbat, former Mongolian minister, describes how branding and visa changes sparked a tourism surge. Nick Dahl, Cape Town journalist, celebrates the city’s revived public pools and their community impact.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Maliki's Sectarian Legacy
- Loveday Morris says Maliki's first tenure was marked by sectarian policies that helped fuel Sunni disaffection and the rise of ISIS.
- That legacy makes his potential return deeply controversial within Iraq and internationally.
Return Fueled By Coalition Politics
- Loveday Morris describes Maliki's nomination as partly an accidental outcome of internal coalition wrangling.
- Political maneuvering, including Sudani stepping aside, produced a nomination many never expected to crystallise.
US Opposes Maliki Over Iran Links
- Loveday Morris ties strong US opposition to Maliki to Washington's effort to roll back Iranian influence in Iraq.
- Reports that Maliki had Iran's blessing intensified US concern and prompted public interventions.