Why is the US pressuring Nouri al-Maliki to withdraw his prime ministerial bid?

"I am not backing down." That's what a defiant Nouri Al Maliki had to say, after the US objected to his return as Iraq's prime minister. Washington has set a Friday deadline for him to pullout. But what if he doesn't? And what would the implications be for Iraq? In this episode:  Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Ahmed Rushdi, president of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation Kenneth Katzman, senior fellow at The Soufan Center Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook