Iraq's new government

Iraq's Council of Representatives approved the cabinet line-up of Haider al-Abadi on 8 September. The appointment is a positive development for the country, which has faced months of wrangling over the post of prime minister and an ongoing Sunni militant offensive in the country's centre and north.

Somehow the Iraqi state has managed to survive recent developments and PM Al-Abadi has a historic opportunity to turn things around. But, as always, obstacles remain. His former boss, Nouri Al-Maliki, who resigned in early August following intense pressure over his failure to organise a ruling coalition, remains in the game, just. He is one of three vice presidents. The office carries no real power yet his presence and strong support among elements of the security forces will serve him well if he intends positioning for further power.

The Kurdish bloc are another challenge. The Kurds occupied swathes of territory in June in the north after the Iraqi Army was routed by the Islamic State. They are demanding that the oil and gas revenue debacle, dispute territory issue and status of Kirkuk be addressed in the next three months. If it is not, they are going to leave the government.

Abadi also needs to fill two key positions in his cabinet, the defence and interior ministry positions. Under al-Mailiki these positions were attached to the office of the premier. Under Abadi's new 'inclusive' government he will seek consensus candidates to take these posts. I won't be surprised if, in an effort to reach out to the Sunnis, that he appoints a Sunni politician to one or both of these posts.

And the elephant in the room. The Islamic State control approximately a quarter of the country, including Fallujah, Tikrit and Mosul. The US has joined the fray but a longer lasting solution will require the reformation of the Iraqi military (and its unity). Ground forces are unlikely to be supplied by Obama and the Iraqi Army and its allies will need to gear up for a major fight. The Kurd question also comes into play. The Kurds will likely seek to position themselves to gain as much as they can from their military presence in the north. Concessions will be difficult to come by though as Abadi will face stiff opposition to any suggestions of providing the Kurds with more power.

Internationally, Abadi will find friends in Iran and the US. Strange but powerful bedfellows. Both nations will seek to provide security support but will be cautious in over reaching for fear of isolating the Sunni minority further. Finding the balance will be key in the next six months.