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Politics

Baghdad-KRG stalemate continues over oil disputes

Budget transfers to Kurdistan have been frozen since May as negotiations to restart oil exports falter.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) chairs a Cabinet meeting on July 8, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)
Jul 13, 2008

Iraqi oil sparks political sour note

Mr. President, said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., I am deeply concerned by the apparent lack of a clear and consistent U.S. policy on the entering into of oil deals in Iraq in the absence of Iraqi national hydrocarbon legislation. Unfortunately, that legislation, which would ensure equitable distribution of oil revenues among the Iraqi people and […]

Jun 30, 2008

Americans named participant in Iraq oil contracts with Big Oil

Plus: *Iraq announces five long-term oil field/two gas field contracts up for bid *Iraqi Kurdistan pans Baghdad’s moves *Iraq Parliament Oil & Gas Committee demands oversight *KRG explains oil deal breakdown The U.S. advisers tasked to Iraq’s Oil Ministry were involved to some extent in the negotiated contracts between Iraq and the major international oil […]

Jun 24, 2008

U.S. Congress calls on Bush to block or cancel Iraq oil deals

*Big Oil deals with Baghdad are the target *As are Hunt Oil and other KRG deals signed with U.S. firms *Plus, Iraq to establish Maysan oil company *And, Alive in Baghdad U.S. congressional leaders are pressing the Bush administration to block deals to be signed between the Iraqi federal government and the world's largest oil […]

May 1, 2008

U.S. Senate committee tags defense bill with Iraq reconstruction funds blockade…

Plus: *Iraqis react to Congress’ bluster that Iraq hasn’t paid enough for the war and occupation *Jordon stops Iraq crude shipments because of violence *Turkey, KRG rapprochement *Iraqi Shia leaders in Iran for militia talks *Iraq After The Surge for Sunnis *Much more… A Senate panel has agreed unanimously to block the Defense Department from […]

Apr 24, 2008

U.S. Congress to Iraq: Pay our war expenses with your oil revenue

Iraqis would be forced to pay for U.S. efforts in their country directly or via loans from the United States if any of at least five similar pieces of legislation introduced on Capitol Hill this month is approved. This comes as Americans deal with -- and politicians respond to -- an unpopular and expensive war, […]

Apr 7, 2008

Iraqi Kurd MP pans Iraq oil law…

Plus: *BP exec says service contract a few months away *Black Gold: War News Radio’s five-part series on Iraq’s oil struggles *Sterling banks on Kurdistan, sells U.S. assets *Attacks take out northern Iraq power *Iraq-AmChamIraq plan energy conference An Iraqi parliamentarian representing Iraq's Kurds says his party will not approve a draft oil law that […]

Mar 17, 2008

U.S. economic chief in Iraq: Oil law stalled by politics, not technical, but Iraq has $2.5B for short term plan and PSAs for long term…

Plus: *Iraq oil fuels insurgency, funds militias, corruption *Baiji refinery power outage; Najaf refinery doubled *Iraq 5 years after invasion *Baghdad ballet school open *Basra development board meets in Kuwait *Winter Soldier Iraq's oil law debate is political, not technical, a top U.S. official said, adding Iraq has tagged billions of dollars to boost oil […]