While senior U.S. officials say they are now less worried about Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launching a coup to stay in power , they still predict he 'll try to obstruct the political process to keep his designated successor , Haider al-Abadi , out of office . One senior U.S. official compared al-Maliki to former President Richard Nixon -- a paranoid leader who grew more mercurial as his political fortunes collapsed . Al-Maliki has vowed to fight al-Abadi 's nomination . Al-Maliki could bide his time and try to divide Iraqi politicians to make it difficult for al-Abadi to muster enough support to form a government over the next 30 days as Iraq 's Constitution outlines . But the officials say they do n't think he has enough backing to do that . A large portion of the Shia bloc , including most of his own party , is behind al-Abadi , and that gives the United States some confidence a government can be formed within the prescribed time frame . Iraq 's political power struggle reached a breaking point on Monday when President Fuad Masum named al-Abadi , the deputy speaker of Parliament , to replace al-Maliki . President Barack Obama publicly endorsed al-Abadi , calling his nomination a `` promising step forward . '' Both Obama and Vice President Joe Biden called him to express their support . As a further incentive to quickly form a new government , the Obama administration is promising additional financial and military support in its fight in northern Iraq against the Islamic State , militants formerly known as ISIS . Airstrikes and airdrops . Secretary of State John Kerry said in Australia on Tuesday the United States `` stands ready to fully support a new inclusive Iraqi government . '' Despite frustrations with al-Maliki 's leadership , the United States has increased military aid to his government over the past year to combat militants . That assistance has been stepped up over the past two months as ISIS forces claimed large areas of territory in northern Iraq in a brutal campaign . Just last week , Obama ordered airstrikes against militant positions and humanitarian airdrops to aid thousands of the Yazzidi minority under threat from the extremist group and trapped in the Sinjar Mountains . On Tuesday , he decided to send more than 100 additional military advisers to that region in a move the United States said was necessary to look at additional humanitarian relief options . Washington has sought to separate the need for urgent support to combat militants from support for al-Maliki . The administration is also helping covertly arm Kurdish Peshmerga forces battling ISIS . More help possible . Kerry said the United States was `` prepared to consider additional political , economic and security options as Iraq starts to build a new government '' noting that the aid was `` very much calculated to try to stabilize the security situation , expand economic development and strengthen the democratic institutions . '' The United States has been encouraged by unprecedented cooperation between the Iraqi military and Kurdish forces in fighting ISIS and helping the civilians in the north . Officials said it gives them hope that Iraq 's long-divided ethnic groups are finally uniting in the wake of the Islamic State threat . But with its military support , Washington also risks fueling Iraq 's sectarian divide . Between additional backing for a new Iraqi Shia-led government and its direct support for the Kurds , the United States risks pushing Iraq 's Sunni population toward the Islamic State , which is also Sunni , because they will see that support as taking sides in what is widely viewed as a civil war . And with Sunnis already disenfranchised from the Shia-led government , U.S. airstrikes are only likely to exacerbate those political differences . Al-Abadi is a Shia , from the same party as al-Maliki , serving at one time as his aide . But can he unite the country and fight off the sweeping Islamic State advance ? `` Abadi has never been involved in personal controversy , he is someone who really has tried to tow a straight line , '' said Kurt Sowell , editor of the newsletter Inside Iraqi Politics . `` I think he is someone who will try to be inclusive and work with people . But at same time he 's never been someone to push for reform . '' Showing political skills . While al-Abadi may not be viewed as a transformational figure , the United States has been impressed with the way he stood up to al-Maliki politically and accumulated support of many Shia . `` Sometimes what is needed is a good bureaucrat who can get things back on track , '' one senior State Department official said . `` We do n't need anymore personalities . '' What happens , however , if al-Maliki is able to keep al-Abadi from forming a government ? Iraqi politicans would be back to Square One and the United States would be forced to choose between supporting al-Maliki 's caretaker government , despite its stated reservations about him , or waiting until a new prime minister is designated who can form a government . If ISIS continues to advance , however , neither the Iraqis nor the United States will have the luxury of time . Will Iraq 's Nuri al-Maliki go without a fight ? 5 things to know . Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki objects as his ouster looms . What to know about Iraq 's Prime Minister .
ANALYSIS : ISIS Prime Minister has vowed to fight the nomination of his successor . Al-Maliki , the deputy speaker of Islamic State , is working to form a government . The United States backs the prime minister-designate and has stepped up aid . The militant group Parliament has made sweeping gains in The United States 's north .