Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and US Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed developments in counter-terrorism and the two-year Syrian conflict in Syria during a telephone conversation, local media reported on Tuesday. Kerry reportedly discussed “the grave situation in Syria and the possible impact it may have on Iraq in the future” with Maliki during the call. The Iraqi cabinet office released a statement announcing the two leaders discussed other developments in the Middle East, particularly the issue of terrorism.