ckwaves through Bahrain, Libya, Yemen and Syria. A closer look at the political scene in Baghdad, however, shows that all is not well. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is in hot water, like many of his Arab counterparts - and his government might collapse soon, if not through street power, then perhaps through the s

bal leaders to fight jihadists), the Islamic State strengthened again as the Obama administration's inattention allowed Iraq's Shia prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, to intensify his persecution of Sunnis. Then, after Syrians rebelled against Bashar al- Assad, the Islamic State expanded across Iraq's western bord

ly holds six cabinet posts and over 10% of the 325-member parliament. The move has been interpreted as a "gift" to his rivals—namely, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his Shiite Fadhila party—just before the elections. Indeed, if the Sadr bloc loses any votes in April, they are likely to go to Fadhila. Meanwhi

. Rather than decreasing sectarian tensions, Iraqi leaders appear to be pouring fuel on the fire. In recent weeks the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has arrested more than 600 alleged former EFTA_R1_02047578 EFTA02695901 21 Baathists who are suspected of plotting against the central governme

a, Tunisia, and Yemen: • On June 10, opposition groups in Iraq lacked the necessary 163 votes to pass a no confidence motion to oust Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki after 11 Members of Parliament (MPs) retracted their signatures. Press reports indicated that the Iranian government had influenced the process, ex

, Tuni=ia, and Yemen: • On June 10, opposition groups i= Iraq lacked the necessary 163 votes to pass a no confidence motion=to oust Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki after 11 Members of Parliament (MPs)=retracted their signatures. Press reports indicated that the Iranian gover=ment had influenced the process, exe