All agree that backing Maliki was a mistake
WP -- By Ali Khedery July 3, 2014 -- Why we stuck with Maliki — and lost Iraq
“The crisis now gripping Iraq and the Middle East was not only predictable but predicted — and preventable. By looking the other way and unconditionally supporting and arming Maliki, President Obama has only lengthened and expanded the conflict that President Bush unwisely initiated.”
WP -- Fred Hiatt -- Iraq’s tragic ‘unraveling’
“She was heartened by the narrow victory of a nonsectarian electoral bloc — and dismayed when the Obama administration nonetheless backed, in the post-election scramble to form a government, the divisive, Iranian-backed prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki.”
WP -- Marc Theisen -- Obama’s Iraq Disaster
“When Obama took office he inherited a pacified Iraq, where the terrorists had been defeated both militarily and ideologically.”
WP -- Fareed Zacharia -- Fareed Zakaria: Who lost Iraq? The Iraqis did, with an assist from George W. Bush
“The first answer to the question is: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki lost Iraq.”
