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)

Feb 24, 2021

Q&A: Dr. Reyadh Abdul Amir, head of Iraq’s coronavirus vaccine program

The Health Ministry's vaccine chief discusses efforts to obtain and administer doses, as well as the potential for a future "vaccine passport" policy.

Feb 9, 2021

Q&A: Oil Minister Ihsan Ismaael

Gas and refining sector developments are a priority this year, but Iraq is also looking to settle longstanding disputes with the Kurdistan region and Turkey.

Feb 5, 2021

Q&A: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ali Allawi

Iraq's top economic and energy leader discusses OPEC policy, forward oil sales, gas projects, economic reforms, and more.

Jan 12, 2021

Q&A: Hassan Mohammed Hassan, deputy Basra Oil chief in charge of licensing round fields and West Qurna 1

Basra's fields bore the brunt of the OPEC-plus production curtailments, and they are ready to surge as output quotas lift.

Nov 6, 2020

Q&A: Marfaa Kadhim al-Assadi, deputy director of Basra Gas Company

Now that Shell personnel have returned, BGC is focused on resuming delayed projects to turn more flared gas into electricity and revenue for Iraq.

Oct 30, 2020

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

Iraq is expanding existing refineries, but greenfield projects in the south are not moving forward.

Sep 22, 2020

Q&A: Jabar Yawar, Secretary General of the Peshmerga

In the fight against a persistent insurgency, long-delayed efforts to improve coordination between Kurdish Peshmerga and federal security forces could be key.

Aug 21, 2020

Q&A: Farhan Mohsen al-Fartosi, head of Iraqi Ports

Iraq’s ports company chief talks about post-Beirut security, a tanker dispute with the Basra Oil Company, and managing the risk of coronavirus to his company.

Aug 6, 2020

Q&A: Hussein Abdul-Kadhim Hussein, director of the Rumaila Operating Organization

The Rumaila field produces one-third of Iraq's oil, but it has pulled back from record output due to budget constraints and OPEC obligations.

Jun 17, 2020

Q&A: Dr. Adham Rashad Ismail, WHO head of mission in Iraq

The World Health Organization is still guardedly optimistic Iraq can avoid a coronavirus catastrophe, despite Iraq's poor mask compliance and perhaps premature end to its lockdown.