Parliament goes into recess without passing KRG oil amendment

Budget legislation that could have helped restart Iraq’s northern crude exports is delayed until at least January.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center left) meets with Massoud Barzani (center right), the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), as well as KRG President Nechirvan Barzani (fourth from right) and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (third from right), in Erbil on Nov. 9, 2023. (Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister's Office)

Energy

Iraqi oil exports recede as OPEC-plus extends cuts

Iraq's oil sales continued a slow decline in November as the OPEC-plus coalition decided quotas will stay lower for longer.

Politics

Cabinet advances proposal for northern oil export restart

Iraq's main political factions appear to have an initial agreement for paying Kurdistan's oil companies for exports, but legislative, legal, and practical hurdles remain.

Security

Baghdad-Erbil progress fuels hope for counter-insurgency fight

The formation of two joint brigades highlights improving cooperation that could help combat IS militants and close security gaps.

Interviews

Q&A: Jassim Kamel Marzouq, director of the Khor al-Zubair port

As Iraq’s fuel trade increases, a central hub for fuel exports and imports is expanding.