Right now I feel sorry for ole' Maliki. He's between a rock and a hard post and doesn't have many politicians to trust on ANY side. Both Bush and Ahmadinejad are sucking up to Maliki,trying to appear to be his 'true friend/brother',playing Democracy against Islam and it shouldn't be that way. Just because Maliki is a Muslim,doesn't mean he has to forego being a Democrat OR visa versa!
If I were Maliki,I wouldn't trust Bush OR Ahmadinejad as far as I can throw them,and at my age that's not far! He needs to think of Iraq as a Nation and keep his focus on what is best for the Iraqi people as a whole,and the safe future of their homeland and its resources.
That must be really difficult right now,because most of the foreign(non-Iraqi)politicians, who are shaking his hands so firmly in the photo-shoots have their own personal agendas,in terms of what they want from Iraq.So none of them are what one would call un-biased advisors,and NONE are 'bosom-buddies' EITHER!
Maliki must be having difficulty sleeping because Iraq has a chance to be free from dictatorship and sectarian strife,aswell as prove that all the Iraqis can live together with freedom to speak,vote,worship and basically enjoy life.It has a chance to prove that despite demographics and geographics,it is possible to hold together a profitable,peaceful and tolerant Nation,regardless of who their neighbours are!
After all, Iraq is an experienced Nation and an ancient culture,they are not stupid and have the right to "cozy up" to whomever they choose,politially and economically.
I just pray,as an ordinary person,that the Iraqi leaders will choose the best sides,who will leave Iraq alone,respectfully and peacefully,to make it's own choices and be there when they need them,for help,advise and encouragement,WHEN ASKED FOR! That includes America!
That's what I call "cozy"!
So,Maliki,unless you ALSO have some hidden agendas,DON'T worry about anything that people like Bush OR Ahmadinejad,or any other 'interested' parties say or imply.If you love your Nation,it's people and children,you will put them first!AND NO-ONE can blame you for that. Just make sure you can openly and honestly justify your decisions and actions because the Iraqi people deserve that,and transparency befits freedom and True Democracy.
America AND Iran are only TWO Countries,in many,that are both presently having to deal with their own political administrations who have made a habit of hiding/misrepresenting the truth/facts,and misleading their people.We may have many differences AND many similarities,BUT propaganda is propoganda in any language! LOL! Good Luck,Maliki!
Peace,Salaam,Shalom!

What does Bush expect when Iraqis are dying every day because of the occupation and Al Qaeda that came to Iraq after the invasion?---Should Maliki trust the US? I agree with your analysis he has to learn to live with his neighbors.

President Bush sternly warns Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki that he would "pay a price" for cozying up to Iran.

But if the picture speaks for a thousand words, then his warning must have fallen on deaf ears.

What’s behind Maliki's cordial visit to Tehran? And will he survive the wrath of the Bush Administration and the upheaval at home?
Watch the Mosaic Intelligence Report tonight:
http://linktv.org/mosaic/mir