Iraq’s New Government Approved

On Monday, the Iraqi Parliament officially named Haider al-Abadi as Iraq’s new prime minister. The Parliament also approved most of his proposed cabinet.

Abadi promised Parliament he would confront the Islamic State militants who have seized large parts of northern and western Iraq.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry said that the U.S. welcomed the news.

“Overcoming the obstacle of ethnic and sectarian divides, the Iraqi Parliament approved a new and inclusive government, one that has the potential to unite all of Iraq’s diverse communities, for a strong Iraq, a united Iraq and to give those communities the chance to build the future that all Iraqis desire and deserve”

The U.S. pressured Iraq’s former prime minister to resign in mid-August in hopes that a new government would be able to deal with the terrorist group. The group declared itself a caliphate on June 29, changing its name from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or isis.

The new government’s ability to succeed will depend on how much support it receives from the U.S. Without strong U.S. action, Iraq will continue to destabilize.

Many have accused the White House for not having a strategy to confront the Islamic State. U.S. President Barack Obama plans to announce one tonight, on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The White Houses says this strategy includes military, political and diplomatic efforts. However, the president has indicated that the new strategy will likely not include the kind of strong action Iraq needs.

David Schenker from the Washington Institute of Near East Policy agrees.

“The United States is fatigued and the president has no interest in putting boots on the ground, so unless we can get our regional allies to do it, this may degrade from the air part of ISIS’s capabilities, but it will not roll them back, it will not set them back and it certainly won’t destroy them.”

Continue to watch this hot spot to see how the new Iraqi government deals with the Islamic State. For an in-depth look at what the Trumpet expects in this region, watch our Trumpet Daily program “ISIS Decapitating, Raping in Iraq and Syria—U.S. Media Silent.”