Iraq

Oh my, this is fascinating: both the US and UN were outmanoeuvred!



First, Brahimi gets to choose the new interim PM of Iraq. The job has actually been offered to someone already, he just has not accepted the job offer yet.



Then the US state department tries to pre-empt the process by leaking the name of their own personal favourite, Hussain Shahristani. Some influential Shia ex-exiles indicate quite clearly they wont stand for him and the UN rebels, so Shahristani pulls back and says he wont do the job.



Then, out of the blue, the Governing Council has a meeting and a vote, and BOOM! comes up with Iyad Allawi, blindsiding both the UN and the US.



WOW! hah!