NEW YORK TIMES: The United States would consider expanding military and political support for Iraq if Haider al-Abadi assumes the duties of prime minister and leads a multisectarian government, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Tuesday.
The gesture of support, which was made after a meeting with their Australian counterparts here, is intended to encourage Iraqi politicians to coalesce around Mr. Abadi and to form an inclusive government. Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has resisted the choice of Mr. Abadi, producing a high-stakes political battle in Baghdad.
But neither Mr. Kerry nor Mr. Hagel provided details about what additional support might be provided, and it remains unclear whether the Obama administration would be willing to expand airstrikes or provide additional teams of American military advisers to help a new Iraqi government roll back the gains made by Sunni militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria… (more)
