Prime Minister Maliki, released from American restraint, acted on his worst instincts, creating enormous distrust in Iraq's Kurdish population and deeply embittering Sunnis in western Iraq's Al Anbar, who lost any confidence in a Baghdad government they saw as adversarial.

In this quote, Jim Mattis is reflecting on the leadership of Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq and the consequences of his actions after being released from American restraint. Mattis suggests that Maliki, once free from the influence of the U.S. military, acted according to his worst instincts, which led to significant political and social unrest. This statement highlights the impact of Maliki's leadership on the stability of Iraq, especially in relation to the Kurdish population and Sunnis in the Al Anbar region.

Mattis points out that Maliki's actions deepened the distrust between the central government and Iraq's Kurdish population, who felt alienated by the prime minister's policies. Furthermore, his treatment of the Sunnis in Al Anbar—a region that had already been skeptical of Baghdad's government—led to the complete loss of confidence in the central government. The Sunnis saw the Baghdad government as an adversary, not a representative body for all Iraqis, further fueling divisions within the country.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Mattis’s time as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, during which he observed the challenges of post-invasion Iraq. His comments on Maliki’s leadership reflect his understanding of how political decisions can destabilize a nation and alienate its various factions. Mattis’s experience with military and diplomatic efforts in Iraq gives him a unique perspective on the consequences of leadership that disregards unity and inclusiveness in a divided society.

Ultimately, Mattis’s statement serves as a critique of Maliki’s failure to build a cohesive government that could bring together Iraq’s diverse ethnic and religious groups. His leadership exacerbated existing tensions, leading to greater instability and resentment, which contributed to the eventual rise of sectarian violence and further deterioration of the country’s security and unity.