WASHINGTON — With violence spiking again in Iraq , fomenting fears of widening instability in the region, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki pressed President Obama on Friday for American help in fighting Qaeda terrorists in his country’s lawless west. Mr. Maliki said the Iraqi government was “mobilizing our people in order to fight Al Qaeda because it’s good for Iraq and the Middle East.” Speaking after a meeting with the president in the Oval Office, Mr. Maliki said he and Mr. Obama had “similar ideas” on counterterrorism priorities, though he did not offer details on any requests for military equipment or other aid. Other Iraqi officials said the government was appealing for a range of aid, including Apache helicopter gunships and Hellfire missiles , as well as more American intelligence and other forms of counterterrorism support, like reconnaissance drones that would be operated by Americans. “Unfortunately, Al Qaeda has […]