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Politics

Analysis: Worsening internal rivalries weaken KRG at key political juncture

Conflict between the KDP and PUK has driven dysfunction in Erbil and weakened Kurdish influence in Baghdad as a new government takes power.
Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (left), meets with newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (right), in Baghdad in May 2026. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)
Jul 20, 2010

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.

Jul 14, 2010

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.

Jul 12, 2010

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.

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.