Politics

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Workers from the Southern Projects Commission of Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects assemble a pipeline designed to carry regassified LNG imported via the Khor al-Zubair port in Basra to power stations in February 2025. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Dec 21, 2010

Luaibi to head Oil Ministry, Shahristani to DPM

According to early reports of a still-unfinished government formation process, Deputy Oil Minister Abdul Karim Luaibi will be oil minister.

Dec 16, 2010

UPDATE: Kurdish oil demands to Maliki revealed

According to previously undisclosed communiqué, Kurdish leaders want specific oil and revenue laws passed in 2011 and say KRG should decide constitutionality of its oil deals.

Dec 3, 2010

Erbil, Baghdad still at odds over oil

Iraq’s political and fiscal realities appear to be pushing Baghdad closer to its oil rivals in Kurdistan, though the two sides remain wedged apart by both bitterness and key policy differences.

Dec 2, 2010

Shahristani out of oil, in for Maliki deputy

New post to coordinate all energy policies allows PM Maliki to retain power in case he doesn't keep Oil Ministry.

Nov 15, 2010

Gas deals advance, political hurdles remain

Ministry officials initialed contracts for Mansuriya and Siba fields, but Anbar province protests have worked, stalling Akkas. All three deals hinge on the formation of a new government, which looks more likely after the weekend.

Nov 12, 2010

Maliki, Talibani in after Iraqiya walk-outs

Inclusive government may have fallen apart before it touched a piece of legislation.

Nov 9, 2010

Politics of uncertainty

Days before a court-mandated meeting of Parliament, Iraq’s leaders capped a round of power-sharing talks with optimistic televised speeches but little tangible progress.

Nov 8, 2010

Sunni nationalism eyes autonomy

As Prime Minister Maliki forges a Shiite governing coalition, Iraq’s Sunnis turn their backs on Baghdad.

Nov 3, 2010

Baghdad silent, US pans new KRG deals with American oil firms

Deals with Marathon and Murphy the first of expected Iraqi Kurdistan oil deals that have US worried about reconciliation and Baghdad unusually quiet amidst government formation talks.

Oct 27, 2010

Oil for the people, they hope

Iraq has increased its reserves and signed the world’s largest companies to boost oil and gas production. Iraqis wonder whether the hydrocarbon revolution will bring them prosperity or ruin.