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Politics

Deadly political divisions raise risks for Kurdistan

Rivalries between political leaders in Sulaimaniya have exploded into violence and undermined relations between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two ruling parties at a key political moment.
Bafel Talabani (left) and Lahur Talabany (right) at a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party gathering on June 15, 2021. (Source: PUK Media)

The Politics of Iraqi Oil

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Iraqi oil ministry to face tough crowd, critics in upcoming meetings

Plus: *Shahristani wants expanded ministry role, new national oil co., less red tape *Petrochemical worker repression outrage by int'l union *Iraqi in Gitmo prison now missing *Sarkozy in Baghdad visit wants French firms back in country *Maliki responds to Biden threats to sovereignty *Video: Building boom in northern Iraq *Shoe-throwing Zaidi gets Feb. 19 trial […]