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)

May 29, 2013

Q&A: Ali Musawi, Adviser to the Prime Minister

A chief adviser to PM Maliki speaks about the civil war in Syria and worsening relations with Turkey, and blames the Iraqi Speaker of Parliament for domestic political gridlock.

Mar 22, 2013

Q&A: Alaa Mohie el-Deen

The leader of Iraq's push for oil sector transparency discusses Iraq's latest EITI report, as well as the challenges of integrating Kurdistan into the process.

Dec 26, 2012

Q&A: Gen. James Jones

The former national security adviser to President Obama calls for a U.S. policy shift that would embrace Iraqi Kurdistan's oil deals.

Dec 18, 2012

Q&A: Hussain al-Shahristani

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy discusses KRG exports, ExxonMobil's looming deadline, and a new production target to reach by 2017.

Dec 10, 2012

Q&A: WesternZagros CEO Simon Hatfield

The head of one of the first companies to sign with the KRG discusses the path to commerciality.

Nov 21, 2012

Q&A: Peshmerga General Secretary Jabar Yawar Manda

As Kurdish and federal security forces square off in the disputed areas of Salahaddin province, the Peshmerga Ministry's general secretary paints a dire picture.

Nov 15, 2012

Q&A: US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen

The veteran American investigator talks about the large-scale, institutionalized corruption that continues to plague Iraq, including the recent shakeup at the Central Bank.

Nov 14, 2012

Q&A: Garraf Oilfield Director Settar Mahdi Jabara

The Garraf field leader discusses the status of drilling and the well program to reach initial production.

Nov 6, 2012

Q&A: Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar

A key leader in the development of the Khor Mor gas field, Majid Jafar discusses the project that has fueled Kurdistan's economic boom and become Exhibit A in the argument for reforming Iraqi gas policy.

Nov 1, 2012

Q&A: Chief auditor and acting Central Bank head Abdulbasit Turki Saeed

In his first interview as interim head of the Central Bank, Iraq's lead auditor discusses the new KRG-Baghdad export agreement, as well as his priorities for the CBI.