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Inside Iraq
Nuri al-Maliki
Has the Iraqi prime minister found a new political compass and courage?
Last Modified: 05 Jul 2008 08:21 GMT

Inside Iraq asks if al-Maliki is merely a paper tiger propped up by the US [AFP]
When Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, came to office two years ago, he was considered a weak politician with a sectarian agenda.

Some thought he was a US puppet. Others said he was inclined toward the Iranians.

Today, that perception has changed. Many Iraqis see him emerging as a strong nationalist leader, especially after the recent military actions against Shia militias in Basra and al-Qaeda insurgents in Mosul.

Has al-Maliki found a new political compass and courage or is he merely a paper tiger propped up by the American military forces on the ground?

Our guests this week are Ghassan al-Atiyyah, the director of the Iraq Foundation for Development and Democracy, and Joost Hilterman, the deputy director for Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group.

Watch part one of this episode of Inside Iraq

Watch part two of this episode of Inside Iraq

This episode of Inside Iraq aired from Friday, July 04, 2008

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