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Politics

Political disunity clouds KRG fiscal and energy outlooks

Deadlocked talks over forming a new regional Cabinet highlight a bitter rivalry between two ruling parties that poses risks to Kurdistan's economy and energy sector.
PUK President Bafel Talabni (left) meets with KDP President Massoud Barzani (right) on Sept. 27, 2025. (Photo credit: KDP presidency office)

Iraq’s Oil Service Contracts: An Overview

Full speech given by Thamir Ghadhban, chairman of the advisory commission to the Iraqi Prime Minister, at the Iraq Oil Symposium July 18, 2010, attended by officials from international oil companies, foreign embassies and Iraqi ministries.

KRG plan responds to smuggling allegations

Kurdistan region announces formation of an oil security force and a ministerial committee to monitor oil and fuel trade, and affirms oil exports are only valid through northern pipeline.

Local oil politics stall parliament

Unresolved disagreements over the control of Iraq’s oil and the distribution of revenue have stopped the new parliament, before it can even start.

KRG denies alleged oil smuggling to Iran

Renewed war of words between Baghdad and Erbil, sparked by The New York Times report on crude smuggling, could escalate ongoing feud over oil sector control.

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.

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.