![dek](https://content.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2004/people/images/allawi_reflow.jpg)
Appointed in June, Iraq's interim Prime Minister has played the tough guy, reinstating the death penalty, backing U.S.-led assaults on Najaf and Fallujah, imposing martial law. Allawi, with security in tow at Baghdad airport, vowed to work for a "united Iraq where brotherhood and justice prevail." Next step: convince skeptical Iraqi voters he's no U.S. stooge.