IraqSlogger reports that a U. S. rightwing cabal is plotting to overthrow the present Iraqi government and replace it with Iyad Allawi:
Republican lobbyists with close ties to the Bush administration are aiding and supporting the efforts of an Iraqi opposition leader who is calling for the ouster of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
The anti-Maliki crusader is former Iraqi interim prime minister Ayad Allawi, and the Washington firm retained to spearhead U.S.-focused efforts on his behalf is the Republican powerhouse group of Barbour, Griffith, and Rogers (BGR).
BGR International’s president is Robert Blackwill, the one-time White House point man on Iraq, holding the title of Presidential Envoy to Iraq in 2004.
Blackwill worked closely during that time with Allawi, who was appointed Iraq’s interim prime minister with the U.S. government’s blessing.
There have been rumors along these lines nearly since the Maliki government was elected to office and you may remember IPM Allawi’s “stump speech” in the WP last week.
Juan Cole has gotten word of a prospective military coup by forces within Iraq:
“There is serious talk of a military commission (majlis `askari) to take over the government. The parties would be banned from holding positions, and all the ministers would be technocrats, so to speak. . . [The writer indicates that attempts have been made to recruit cabinet members from the ranks of expatriate technocrats.]
Apparently, everybody wants the job except the guy who’s actually got it.
Ah, a choice between a CIA coup and a military coup. Answering the question: how are things going on the political end in Iraq?
Well, they could always come back from vacation and do something. No, mustn’t have that.
I’ve lived in both Europe and the United States. For every American who didn’t know where Spain was (and admitted it) I’ve probably known ten Europeans who thought you could drive from Denver to Atlanta (or the equivalent) in an afternoon and were dumbfounded when you brought out a map.
I love when that happens. It’s fun to say, “Sure, you can drive from New York to Hollywood. No problemo.”
Military coup. Kha, well that could be interesting.
(I believe you meant the other comment for the perspectives post?)