Iran dumps Iraq's Maliki, effectively derailing his fight to stay in power

On Tuesday, Iran endorsed Haider al-Abadi (pictured) as Iraq's next prime minister, dealing a decisive blow against incumbent Nouri al-Maliki's fierce fight to stay on for a second term. Iran, which wields a lot of political influence in post-Saddam Iraq, had previously supported Maliki, along with its Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, which also backed Abadi on Tuesday. Iran's effective disavowal of Maliki followed word earlier Tuesday that an important Iraqi Army general in Baghdad had told Abadi and ...