Maliki frets over 'Iraqi Spring'

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DAMASCUS - Moves by an Iraqi Sunni-dominated province to demand autonomy from Baghdad and rumors of coup d'etat led by Ba'athists have Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki very worried about the prospects of a rebellion.

Such an "Iraqi Spring" would enjoy the full financial and political backing of Saudi Arabia's new Crown Prince, Nayef Ibn Abdul-Aziz. In recent years Nayef has seen his country's influence in Iraq drop dramatically as Tehran's star rose.

The uprising would be very different to the Arab Spring. Instead of a grassroots revolt against an autocratic ruler, this would see Sunnis revolt against the Shi'ite politicians imposed on them since Iran established its hegemony over Iraqi politics in 2003.

Saudi Arabia is determined to attack Iran's influence once Americans troops leave this December. And as a staunch anti-Shi'ite royal who has an old grudge to settle, Nayef sees Iraq as a perfect battlefront for a confrontation with the Iranians.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MK15Ak02.html

[xchrom]

1. he would be right to fret.

but one has to wonder -- is there any energy left in iraqies right now?

i can't imagine -- after two major wars, occupied by foreign forces, coming to grips w/ corruption in the leadership, oy -- the list goes on.

i do not envy iraq.