US Outlines Conditions for Expanded Military and Political Support in Iraq

SYDNEY, Australia - The United States would consider expanding military and political support for Iraq if Haider al-Abadi assumes the duties of prime minister and leads a multisectarian government, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Tuesday.

Neither Mr. Kerry nor Mr. Hagel provided any details about what additional support might be provided, and it remains unclear whether the Obama administration is willing to significantly expand airstrikes to help a new Iraqi government roll back the gains made by Sunni militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

'We are prepared to consider additional political, military and security options as Iraq starts to build a new government,' Mr. Kerry said.

Though the George W. Bush administration helped bring Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to power and the Obama administration acquiesced as he maneuvered to secure a second term, American officials have opposed a third term for the Iraqi prime minister, who has been criticized for his authoritarian tendencies and for aggravating sectarian tensions.

The United States is calculating that a new prime minister will be able to establish an inclusive government that would grant Sunnis more of a voice in the political system and, thus, make them less hospitable to ISIS militants.

On Monday, Mr. Kerry warned that the United States and the international community would cut off its support for Iraq if Mr. Maliki employed the security forces to extend his rule. Having brandished the stick, Mr. Kerry and Mr. Hagel on Tuesday offered a carrot: the possibility of expanded support.

The United States 'is prepared to intensify its security cooperation,' Mr. Hagel said.

Mr. Kerry and Mr. Hagel conferred here with Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign affairs minister, and David Johnston, the Australian defense minister. As expected, the two sides signed a so-called force posture agreement that provides for the rotation of United States Marines and Air Force personnel in northeast Australia.

They also discussed the problem of Western citizens who volunteer to fight with ISIS and other extremist groups, become radicalized and then return home. They also conferred on the situation in Ukraine.

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