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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)
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

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.

Feb 17, 2010

Iraq’s Oil Politics: Where Agreement Might Be Found

In Iraq, oil contracting and revenue sharing are not simply technical or commercial matters but rather proxies for differing conceptions among Iraq’s communities of the country and their place within it.

Feb 10, 2010

2010 budget boosts oil-producing provinces

The $72bn budget awards dollars to oil-producing provinces and sites of pilgrimage. A stern warning is issued to Kurdish authorities in the form of penalties for cutting off exports.

Feb 8, 2010

Chaos looms over elections

Protests on the streets of Baghdad as election campaigning delayed and courts rush through appeals of banned candidates

Feb 8, 2010

Oil workers protest in Basra

Dispute over labor law, attacks on workers, mark ongoing tension between Iraqi oil workers and the government.

Feb 4, 2010

Ten deals makes a happy minister

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani talks to Iraq Oil Report about what the recently signed oil deals means for Iraq, and what is left to do before KRG oil deals get the green light.

Feb 3, 2010

Election ban “lifted” for 500 barred candidates

Appeal court recommends to electoral commission that more than 500 candidates be allowed to stand in March 7 elections. Candidates' jubilation is tempered by others' suspicion of American interference.