Reports noted that Iraq’s parliament approved eight new ministers however; Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has still not decided about who will hold the key posts such as defence and interior. Maliki’s new government was approved in late December after nine months of political backbiting but he left 10 cabinet posts with acting leaders, keeping the Defence Ministry, which runs the army, Interior, which controls the police, and National Security for under his hold temporarily. Meanwhile, parliament has also approved new electricity and trade ministers, two key positions covering provision of basic services and food, the focus of recent protests in Baghdad and the provinces.1

• 1. “Maliki fills power, trade, other Iraq cabinet jobs,” Khaleej Times, February 13, 2011, at http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2...