Iraq will quickly descend into virtual civil war with the Kurds in the north likely to form their own state and Shi-ite forces in the south with strong military support from Iran battling Maliki’s forces. I expect Iraq to become a puppet state of Iran by the end of 2012. I feel sad for the families of those brave soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq as their sacrifice thanks to Obama will mean nothing.
Maliki practically pledged fealty to Iran for political support in the past elections against Allawi. It's the Sunni that are worried. The Kurds have already formed their own de-facto state.