Are we being patronized?

Are we being patronized or has the Iraqi government (lead by Maliki's party) really planned to allow Washington to 'influence' it?

Iraq's ambassador to Washington, Samir Sumaida'ie, yesterday called on the United States to be patient and use its influence to push the country's fractious political parties together.

"The Americans can help various political factions to moderate their demands, and I think they have a lot of influence on individual leaders," Mr. Sumaida'ie said.