Former US official says Barrack visit focused on ending Maliki nomination

BAGHDAD — Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor said the visit by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack to Iraq focused on efforts to end Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister.

In a post on X, Taylor wrote, “Barrack visit to Iraq and meeting with Sudani clearly focused on providing the final nudge to end Maliki nomination.”

She added, “If Maliki will not withdraw of his own volition, convincing Sudani to withdraw his support from Maliki is best way to get Maliki out.”

Taylor suggested that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani may be weighing his own options, writing, “Sudani may be waiting to see if he can secure support for his own candidacy for PM.”

Efforts to arrange a meeting between Maliki and Barrack stalled late Sunday as political tensions intensified over calls to withdraw his candidacy.

The Coordination Framework nominated Maliki following the 2025 elections. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that the United States would not continue its support for Iraq if Maliki returned to office.