Allawi Puts Bullseye On Maliki's Back

"Major Republican lobbying firm to undermine Maliki" from CNN Ticker reports that the high powered GOP lobbying firm Barbour Griffith & Rogers has been sending out e-mails blasting the Maliki government on behalf of their client, former interim Iraqi PM Ayad Allawi.  The White House said it is not connected with this effort even though the personnel at the firm have close ties with the administration.

The timing is perfect what with the stars and some machinations, it would seem.  There was Saturday's editorial by Allawi "A Plan For Iraq" along with Senator John Warner's comments about troop withdrawls - and an updated National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that says Iraq's government is in a precarious position.

It would seem that PM al-Maliki has a big bullseye on his back and Ayad Allawi has him in his sights with a lot of support from his well paid friends.  How Maliki will react - whether he will turn to his alleged pals in Iran and Syria remains to be seen - or if he will redouble efforts to get something going - or at least give the appearance of such. 

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