Iraq

Key Issues

In November 2013, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki appealed to President Obama for additional help to fight AQ in Iraq, also known as ISIL. The Obama admin was critical of the Maliki admin for being too sectarian and authoritarian. (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-10-31/iraq-needs-u-s-support-to-defeat-al-qaeda-maliki-says)

Fighting began  in the Iraqi Western province of Anbar at the end of December 2013 in Ramadi, parts of which were seized by ISIL. The fighting spread and the militants took over Fallujah in January 2014. (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/al-qaeda-linked-group-urges-anti-govt-fighters-in-iraq-to-creep-towards-baghdad)

In March 2014, al-Maliki accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of funding the Sunni terrorists. UAE summoned the Iraqi ambassador in protest on behalf of Saudi Arabia, denying the allegations, while Qatar stayed silent. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-iraq/uae-summons-iraq-ambassador-over-saudi-terrorism-charge-idUSBREA2B1O420140312) 

Relevant History

Related Blog Entries

References

Talev, Margeret and Lerman, David. "Iraq needs US support to defeat Al Qaida, Maliki says," Bloomberg, November 1, 2013. (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-10-31/iraq-needs-u-s-support-to-defeat-al-qaeda-maliki-says)  

"Al-Qaeda-linked group urges anti-govt fighters in Iraq to 'creep towards Baghdad,'" Straits Times, January 20, 2014. (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/al-qaeda-linked-group-urges-anti-govt-fighters-in-iraq-to-creep-towards-baghdad)"

"UAE summons Iraq ambassador over Saudi 'terrorism' charge," Reuters, March 13, 2014. (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-iraq/uae-summons-iraq-ambassador-over-saudi-terrorism-charge-idUSBREA2B1O420140312)