Iraq’s political crisis headed toward confrontation after the president designated the deputy parliament speaker to form the next government and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki dismissed the appointment, claiming he was the rightful nominee. President Fuad Masum selected Haider al-Abadi, a spokesman for Mr. Maliki’s own Dawa Party, after he was nominated by the largest political bloc earlier in the day. He now has 30 days to choose a new cabinet of ministers. “What happened had no value at all,” Mr. Maliki said in a nationally televised address, flanked by a few dozen of his political allies. “My nomination is still valid and we will correct this mistake for sure.” Mr. Maliki blamed his loss on U.S. diplomats, accusing […]