BAGHDAD — Ahmed Chalabi, once a key U.S. ally while in exile during Saddam Hussein's regime, is in the limelight again, and his actions are proving no less controversial than they did years ago.

On the eve of Iraq's parliamentary elections, Chalabi is driving an effort aimed at weeding out candidates tied to Saddam's Baath party. Chalabi is reprising a role he played after the U.S.-led invasion — which many critics believe he helped facilitate with faulty intelligence — and, in the process, is infuriating U.S. officials and some Iraqis, who suspect his motive is to bolster his own political bloc.

The re-emergence of Chalabi, a Shiite, on the political scene has rankled U.S. officials and fueled concerns that Sunnis and other secular Iraqis will be marginalized.

Ultimate prize

Some Iraqi and U.S. officials think Chalabi might have his eyes on the ultimate prize, however unlikely he can attain it.

"Even if it kills him, he's going to stay in Iraq to try to become prime minister," said Ezzat Shahbandar, a Shiite lawmaker from a competing slate who has known Chalabi for more than 20 years. Some would go further, and cast the events of the last few weeks as a victory for Iran's will over that of America.

Ironicwarcriminal posted:
Was it Karzai who got made President of Afghanistan because his brother ran a restaurant in Virginia or something?

"Holy shit Bob, look at the carpets on the wall, this guy's our man, I can feel it!"

They did run a restaurant but the actual reasons and choices were developed by ex-pat monarchists who hadn't been in the country since the 60s