Oil makes the politics go round … Iraq’s political situation further fracturing … Bush and Maliki, best friends forever …

Iraq Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani has gone beyond simply calling the Kurdistan Regional Government’s oil deals "illegal." He has now reportedly "nullified" the dozens of contracts with international oil companies, AFP reports.

Of course, political logistics are another matter. There’s only so much the Kurds need to take, considering without them the coalition government Shahristani belongs to will not stand. A top Iraqi official told Iraq Oil Report there’s nothing to do besides condemn the deals, because of the dependence on the Kurdistan Alliance in Baghdad, and there’s nothing it will do.