A decade ago, in the euphoric days that followed its liberation, Iraq was supposed to re-emerge as one of the United States’ staunchest regional allies. That didn’t happen, partly thanks to President Obama’s decision to effectively sabotage plans to forge an agreement that would have linked Iraq to the United States in military and security domains.
When Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visits Washington this week, Obama has a fresh chance to cast a cool look at relations with a nation that could play a central role in the new Middle East emerging from the decade-long turmoil.
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