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)

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 […]

Jun 6, 2008

U.S. negotiators say Iraq must sign a bi-lateral security deal or lose billions in oil revenue…

Plus: *Iraq oil union chief calls ministry a human rights abuser for anti-union actions *Barzani says up to Kirkuk decision without referendum *Oil Smuggling bill passes Parliament * BGR Energy Systems signs third SCOP deal *Senate Committee says Bush admin. misled on Iraq threat *Much, much more… The US is holding hostage some $50bn of […]

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 […]

Mar 14, 2008

International Women’s Day issue: Women in Iraq hit hardest by war, face deadly duo of violence and religious fundamentalism in politics…

Iraq's ambassador to the United States, Samir Sumaida'ie, began his welcome to the International Women's Day celebration he was hosting this week not with the praises for his countrywomen, but with a moment of silence. Guests packed into the embassy reception hall bowed their heads -- some covered in the Muslim hijab, most not -- […]

Mar 13, 2008

Pentagon report: Iraq oil law, related laws stuck; Progress in oil and electricity sectors not necessarily sustainable…

A Pentagon report says four key oil-related laws in Iraq are "stalled" in political gridlock while gains in oil and power production could be lost, Ben Lando reports for United Press International. The quarterly report to Congress, "Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq," released Tuesday, said the law commonly known as the oil law is […]

Mar 7, 2008

Key U.S. Senate committee wants answers to Iraq investment in own reconstruction …

Plus: *KBR, owner of 2002 rebuild Iraq oil deal, shirks patriotic duty to pay taxes *Gulf Keystone, partners, start KRG seismic *Women’s Day in Iraq *Iraq’s Three Civil Wars *Iraq assessment to be kept private *U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Crocker to resign The head of the Senate Armed Services Committee wants U.S. auditors to investigate […]

Feb 29, 2008

Iraq-Turkey-U.S. talks begin in Istanbul on developing Iraq’s gas …

Plus: *Iraq-Big Oil negotiations on technical support deals stalled *115 international oil firms register for Iraq's oil deals *Addax brings PSC in line with Kurds' oil law *Iran to send 200 megawatts to Iraq The third official energy meeting involving Iraqi, Turkish and U.S. officials began Friday in Istanbul, and though a top State Department […]