Politics

U.S. sanctions Maarij, escalating pressure over next Iraqi Cabinet

The first American designation of a sitting senior Oil Ministry official comes as Iraqi leaders negotiate the composition of a new government.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (left) meets with Deputy Minister Ali Maarij at the Oil Ministry in Baghdad on Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

May 6, 2026

Pipeline delays cap Iraq’s northern exports

The Iraqi side of the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline is still months away from coming online — a consequence of years of dysfunction that deprived Iraq of strategic export flexibility.

Apr 28, 2026

Ali al-Zaidi nominated for Iraqi premiership

The compromise candidate emerged as a constitutional deadline was expiring, breaking a deadlock among Iraq's Shia Islamist power brokers.

Apr 14, 2026

Election of Iraqi President launches apparent Sudani gambit for second term

Iraqi insiders from across the political spectrum say Sudani is making a play to seize momentum and form a new government.

Apr 2, 2026

Iran war spreads to Iraq as parallel conflict escalates

War has laid bare the weakness of the Iraqi state, highlighting risks for the country's investment climate that are likely to last beyond the fighting in Iran.

Mar 20, 2026

Northern pipeline restart offers limited relief

A political breakthrough unlocks Iraq's only secondary pipeline export outlet, but volumes are capped by infrastructure constraints and security threats.

Mar 15, 2026

Northern exports stalled by Baghdad-Erbil disputes

With southern oil exports choked off by war, Baghdad cannot use its only backup pipeline route because of a fight with the KRG over customs revenue control.

Mar 12, 2026

Basra tanker attack marks deepening crisis for Iraq oil sector

Iraq is facing a widening array of security threats and economic consequences from the Iran war.

Mar 6, 2026

Oil field attack signals dire war risks for Kurdistan energy sector

Drone strikes on Sarsang raise new doubts for IOCs about the viability of restarting wartime oil production as the KRG demands security guarantees from Baghdad.

Mar 2, 2026

Damascus moves to centralize control over Syrian oil sector

Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria are losing their hold on the country’s largest oil fields as foreign investors look for opportunities.

Feb 24, 2026

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Feb 5, 2026

Iraq faces political disarray after Trump opposes Maliki’s return

Maliki defiantly asserts his right to lead the formation of a new government while Kurdish parties remain at odds over presidency.