Interviews

Q&A: Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Iraq is expanding its port capacity, including a fast-track project to import liquefied natural gas in time for this summer's peak electricity demand season.

Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, at the company's headquarters at Al-Maqal port in May 2025. (Photo credit: GCPI)

Apr 25, 2018

Q&A: Rabun Marouf of the New Generation party

The head of New Generation's Erbil office discusses the creation of a new party to challenge Kurdistan's political duopoly.

Apr 20, 2018

Q&A: Yousif Mohammed, Gorran’s leader in Sulaimaniya

The former KRG Parliament Speaker, once banned from Erbil, predicts a strong party showing but difficulties aligning with other Kurdish parties after next month's election.

Apr 17, 2018

Q&A: Farid Asasard, PUK leadership council member

Less than a month before national elections, a member of the PUK's leadership council talks about Kurdish party in-fighting, the struggle for a united stand in Baghdad and the impact on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Apr 8, 2018

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's top oil man discusses developing Majnoon after Shell, plus myriad projects to repair and upgrade offshore export capacity.

Mar 14, 2018

Q&A: SOMO Director General Alaa al-Yassiri

Iraq's oil exports chief discusses Baghdad-Ankara-KRG oil negotiations, a new oil trading joint venture, and the possibility of a third grade of Basra crude.

Mar 7, 2018

Q&A: Ibrahim Bahralolom, MP and former oil minister

Following the passage of seminal legislation to resurrect the Iraq National Oil Company, one of the principal authors discusses how it will reshape the country's oil sector.

Dec 11, 2017

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, director general of the Iraq Drilling Company

Iraq's state drilling company builds its credentials as it competes with international service companies for international oil company contracts in Iraq.

Dec 6, 2017

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Wali, director general of the South Refineries Company

Iraq's largest refinery, and the industry in south Iraq generally, is making steady progress for necessary growth.

Nov 30, 2017

Q&A: Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luiebi

Iraq announces record exports and oil sector development plans as it agrees to an extension of OPEC production quotas through 2018.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Mohammed Zain Abedin, Hashid commander in Kirkuk

The top Hashid commander in Kirkuk discusses rising military tensions after Kurdistan's independence referendum.