Politics

Baghdad threatens to choke off KRG funding

Political tensions skyrocket after recently announced gas deals, resulting in legal challenges and threats to Kurdistan's budget.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center right) and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (standing, center left) oversee a ceremony in Baghdad on April 4, 2023, to sign a temporary deal for restarting northern oil exports. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Apr 20, 2009

Iraq to drill in Kuwait border field

Drilling Planned in Part-Kuwaiti Field as Iraqi Oil Minister Ploughs Ahead with Agenda

Apr 20, 2009

Iraq politics impact Shell gas deal

Shell south gas deal under pressure as political maneuvering increases in Iraq.

Apr 10, 2009

Oil Ministry spokesman detained for 10 days

Claims arrest with no charge is political, taste of what’s to come in run-up to Parliament elections, and a threat to press freedom.

Mar 24, 2009

Turkey-Iraqi Kurd relations take shape

Visit by Turkey’s president to Baghdad, meeting with Talabani, leads to tough talk on – and response from – PKK.

Mar 22, 2009

Nobody’s client: the reawakening of Iraqi sovereignty

Following Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s success in provincial elections in January, there’s a new air of autonomy from the U.S. occupation.

Mar 22, 2009

The Politics of Iraqi Oil

Oil prices sink, production slows, the economy recedes and Iraqi politics: the perfect storm for Iraq’s oil sector.

Mar 17, 2009

U.S. auditors return $13 million to Iraq, billions wasted

The U.S. has returned $13 million to Iraq – found "improperly" in American reconstruction budgets – results of an increased workload for the top U.S. auditor of Iraq rebuilding efforts, Ben Lando reports. There’s a long way to go still: the head of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction said Monday between 15 percent […]

Mar 5, 2009

New Iraq oil strategy attempts to walk political fine line

Plus: *New budget approved after further cuts *New Report: More than Shiites and Sunnis *Iraq Teachers Union targeted by government *Video-Alive in Baghdad: US Withdrawing as Media Retreat from Iraq Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has lent his support to a new two-pronged oil-development strategy in an attempt to appease those who have challenged the […]

Feb 27, 2009

Obama outlines U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, war

President Barack Obama said Iraqis will no longer see U.S. troops in their streets "by the end of 2011," which he said was in line with the Status Of Forces Agreement signed between Iraq and the United States. The troop drawdown has already been started and "by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq […]

Feb 13, 2009

Iraq oil contract disputed in new report commissioned by Parliament energy committee

Plus: *Read the entire draft Technical Service Contract *Oil Ministry gives more info on oil fields to companies *Russia's Lukoil, Italy's Edison express interest in fields on Istanbul sidelines *Missan Oil Co. preps for new well drilling *Technip awarded new Karbala refinery *Oil to Jordan slowed by technicalities *Violence rocks powder keg Mosul, Shiite pilgrimage […]