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)

Mar 24, 2010

Protests across south Iraq as recount calls escalate

Fears of unrest grow as politicians, observers and insiders see Shia-dominated south unrest as the controversy over the March 7 vote recount grows.

Mar 22, 2010

Outrage in Basra as Kuwait drills cross-border deposits

Basra province alleges that Kuwaiti oil development could sap Iraqi resources, and calls for clarification of control of joint wells

Mar 18, 2010

Regenerated Basrawis vote for more Maliki

A bigger slice of the oil revenues pie and better security have sold a second Maliki term to the people of Basra.

Mar 16, 2010

Foreign oil companies face possible output constraint

OPEC quota and market economics reasons Iraq may tell foreign oil firms to reduce production below contracted plateau.

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.