How long is al-Maliki for this world ?

[kentuck]

Isn't he just a bit too cozy with George W Bush? Is he protected enough to prevent an assassination? I would think that his life is in danger because of his actions and his closeness to the Americans? Something unforeseen like that would be devastating for the "new" government. I'm sure our government is aware of such possibilities?

[SteppingRazor]

1. I'm sure al-Maliki is aware of the possibility too...

it says something about the guy's character.

Sure, he's credulous enough to buy into Bush's B.S., but you gotta respect anyone willing to step up and try to lead Iraq at this point. That's got to be the most undesirable job on the planet.

[kentuck]

2. Is he really trying to lead...

Or is he simply the best puppet thus far??

[SteppingRazor]

3. I think he's both...

if you ask him, I think he'd tell you he's the leader of his country, and he'd honestly believe it. But that doesn't make it so.

[Divernan]

4. After being publicly shamed and ridiculed by Bush's visit?

Al-Maliki did not look cozy with Bush - he looked like a stage prop ordered in to place.
The fact that Bush would cross a sovereign nation's borders, not only without an invitation, but also without even allowing notice to the "prime minister" that he was coming, and then giving the PM 5 minutes notice that Bush was there and to appear at a "meeting" is an unheard of breach of diplomatic protocol, and displayed a total lack of respect for the PM - shaming him before the entire world as a powerless puppet. Al-Maliki is a puppet on Bush's lap, and Bush in turn is a puppet on Cheney's lap. As I posted elsewhere, one wonders if Dick said to W, "You've got 5 minutes to get your ass on Air Force One. I've "decided" you're going to Iraq."