As the U.S. sends more airstrikes in the north in Iraq against the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS), otherwise known as the Islamic State (IS), another war is brewing in Baghdad between ousted Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki, current President Fuad Masum, and a man eyeing the now-available position as Iraq’s new leader.
Until two days ago, Haider al-Abadi wasn’t really making headlines.
A former communications minister and advisor to Maliki himself, Haider al-Abadi arrived quietly in Iraqi politics in 2005 after spending the last several decades exiled by Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Now he’s the internationally favored replacement for Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki.
Meanwhile, a jilted Maliki says he plans to sue Iraqi President Fuad Masum for the “unconstitutional” nomination. Some believe Maliki is plotting a coup, and indeed he has sent the military to seal off Baghdad’s ‘green zone’ and the airport.
So will Maliki’s military might beat out the international favorite Abadi? Or will President Obama’s outspoken support ensure Abadi not only forms government, but has the resources to fight IS?
Regardless, once the IS threat is gone, if whoever is prime minister has not unified Iraq, they may well have to deal with U.S. armed Kurdish peshmerga forces — with the intention and capability to fight for independence from Iraq.
So in Iraq’s match of the year, Maliki vs. Abadi, who can unify Iraq better? Read on to find out about the unknown Abadi, his chances against Maliki and what he faces in his fight to unify Iraq and ward off IS.
