AP Interview: Iraq’s PM confident in post-US security, independence from Iran

BAGHDAD — Weeks before the U.S. pullout, Iraq’s prime minister confidently predicted Saturday that his country will achieve stability and remain independent of its giant neighbor Iran even without an American troop presence. Nouri al-Maliki also warned of civil war in Iran’s ally Syria if Bashar Assad falls — a view that puts him closer to Tehran’s position and at odds with Washington. The