Politics

Baghdad threatens to choke off KRG funding

Political tensions skyrocket after recently announced gas deals, resulting in legal challenges and threats to Kurdistan's budget.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center right) and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (standing, center left) oversee a ceremony in Baghdad on April 4, 2023, to sign a temporary deal for restarting northern oil exports. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jul 2, 2010

Union leaders taken to court for oil sector dissent

In its latest crackdown on organized labor, oil officials have initiated legal proceedings against two union leaders for opposing the Ministry of Oil’s development plans.

Jun 25, 2010

Zalmay Khalilzad’s take on Iraq – Part 2

Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq addresses the criticism he's received for attempting to enter Iraq's oil sector.

Jun 20, 2010

From diplomat to oilman: Khalilzad returns to Iraq

The former U.S. ambassador has officially landed in the Iraqi oil patch in a controversial move that complicates Arab-Kurd relations and appears to undercut the American policy he once promoted.

Jun 18, 2010

Zalmay Khalilzad’s take on Iraq – Part 1

The former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq runs a consulting firm focused on Iraq investments and has just been named to Norwegian oil firm DNO, whose Kurdish projects have stoked controversy. He talks to Iraq Oil Report.

Jun 15, 2010

Khalilzad nominated to DNO board

Former American ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan and the UN to join board of Norwegian firm, the biggest producer in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Jun 9, 2010

Iraqis forced to abandon homes near oil pipeline

A group of Baghdad residents forced to leave the homes they built over an oil pipeline are crying foul. The Iraqi government says the move is for their own good.

Jun 8, 2010

No hope for a homeland

Many residents of southern Iraq's marshes worry that their way of life will end when new oil production begins in the coming years.

Jun 7, 2010

Iraq’s marsh dwellers denounce oil plans

The marshes of southern Iraq are the staging ground for a contentious battle between residents and oil stakeholders over the fate of the fragile and oil-rich ecosystem.

Jun 1, 2010

Anbar, central governments poised for fight over Akkas

The western province wants the prospective gas field to be fed directly to local refineries and power plants, allowing exports only of refined products. Or else.

Jun 1, 2010

Anbar’s power play

Anbar Gov. Qasim Abid talks about building whole new cities, taking on the insurgents who blew off his arm, and opposing Baghdad's plans to export natural gas from the province.