Politics

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.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (left) and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (right) meet on Feb. 11, 2026 in Baghdad. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Mar 16, 2010

Kurds may struggle in Baghdad’s new political power structure

Iraq's Kurds still pegged for kingmaker status but demands for oil autonomy will be weakened by internal competition and challenges from resurgent Sunni voters.

Mar 11, 2010

Iraqi cabinet approves provincial oil refund law

Leaders in Kirkuk, Iraq's second largest oil producing province, cautiously optimistic about plan to increase redistribution of wealth to locals.

Mar 8, 2010

Early look: Maliki vs Allawi

In the infancy of Iraq's next government, voters appeared to have picked current prime minister Maliki and former premier Allawi.

Mar 8, 2010

Sunnis defy violence, cast vote into the unknown

Election Day at a polling center in the heart of Baghdad's dangerous Sunni neighborhood of Adhamiya reveals telling currents.

Mar 4, 2010

Iraq’s next oil minister

Any of these candidates for the oil portfolio in the next government have a massive task in reconstruction and expansion that will make or break the country.

Mar 4, 2010

Election unlikely to bring Kurd-Baghdad breakthrough

The issues that have divided Baghdad and the Kurdish region of Iraq will be awaiting the new government after March 7 national elections.

Mar 4, 2010

The dark horse in a blue suit

A top oil ministry technocrat who survived deBaathification (twice) and defended Baghdad's Daura refinery against insurgents is running a long-shot bid for Iraq's vicious parliament.

Mar 1, 2010

Rumaila deal survives another court hearing

Nine-judge high court takes further arguments from attorneys and gives four weeks to receive rebuttals on potential oil industry-shaking lawsuit.

Mar 1, 2010

Iraq in the Crude World: Part 2

A stunning and revealing examination of oil's indelible impact on the countries that produce it and the people who possess it.

Feb 22, 2010

Iraq in the Crude World: Part 1

A stunning and revealing examination of oil's indelible impact on the countries that produce it and the people who possess it.