Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may be facing an ever-worsening security situation both internally and regionally, but seems to be styling himself as a major regional player, as he visits Washington today for several days of talks with top US officials.
The main goal of Maliki’s visit is to convince the Obama Administration to provide him with large amounts of additional weapons, including attack helicopters, with a near-term focus on fighting against Islamist factions along the Syrian border.
Maliki is also expected to present himself as a potential mediator for the US in dealing with Syria and Iran. US officials insisted there was no real need for mediation, however.
Maliki may also find that he’s not nearly as popular with US officials as he was during America’s occupation of Iraq, as a number of Senators have issued a statement condemning his “mismanagement” of the nation, and accusing him of being under the control of Iran.
No American aid, American arms to Maliki until seven Iranian dissidents taken hostage by Iraqi forces are released.The Iraqi government mass executed 52 defenseless Iranian dissidents at Camp Ashraf on September 1 at the behest of its masters in Tehran.The Iraqi government took seven Camp Ashraf residents hostage. Hundreds are on hunger strike for 60 days demanding hostages release.The victims were protected person under the 4th Geneva Convention and the US had promised to protect them.
At the time of attack by the Iraqi forces only some nearly one hundred people were residing in Camp Ashraf of which 52 members of Iranian opposition the People's Mojahedin organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) were executed by Iraqi forces.