Politics

Northern exports stalled by Baghdad-Erbil disputes

With southern oil exports choked off by war, Baghdad cannot use its only backup pipeline route because of a fight with the KRG over customs revenue control.

Oil tanks at Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, which is run by state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS). (UMIT BEKTAS/Reuters)

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 […]

Feb 10, 2009

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 […]

Jan 14, 2009

U.S. watchdog cites KBR, U.S. and Iraq governments for poor south oil reconstruction

Plus: *Obama and Iraq *More Iraq oil news *Oil, Transport and Port workers meet for "Well-to-Wheel" in Amman *Pentagon Report: Iraqis lack basic services, fueling discontent *Basra and the ballot * War News Radio: On the Move, Iraq’s displaced families *Iraq Press Roundup * Alive in Baghdad: Ashura, A Sign of the Times A new […]

Dec 17, 2008

Iraq Oil Report Quick Roundup

*Oil Prices to Hit Reconstruction *Oil Unions Prep for Elections *Electricity Police Planned for Cooperation with Oil Police *U.S. Forces Start Basra Transition with British *Alive in Baghdad: Mosques in Iraq's Civil War *Iraq Press Roundup Plummeting oil prices may force Iraq's government to slow ambitious reconstruction plans, and the country could face a budget […]

Dec 15, 2008

Regionalization battle in Basra, Iraq oil capital, takes next step

Plus: *2011 given as Oil Police readiness *Cabinet approves GE and Siemens deal *U.S.'s Iraq reconstruction effort criticized in draft report *Zebari at U.N. for oil funds protection *Much more Basrawis will be asked to allow a vote on the future governance structure of their province beginning today. Proponents of the plan to create a […]

Nov 20, 2008

Maliki takes first swing at KRG oil deals

Plus: *Shell and Turkey sign Iraq gas co-op pact *Update on SOFA *Oil capital Basra wants autonomy from Baghdad *Iraq Press Roundup Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has blasted the Kurdistan Regional Government for what he calls "constitutional violations." In a press conference he listed them – including developing foreign relations and utilizing Peshmerga forces […]

Nov 19, 2008

Update and Perspectives on the Status Of Forces Agreement

Plus: *SOFA negotiations rocky but developing *Iraq Oil Report offers first look at text submitted to Parliament *Kurdistan-Baghdad relations rocky *KRG signs U.N. electricity help *Iraq Oil Ministry wants helicopters *Alive in Baghdad: Sahwa, What Next After Al-Qaeda? *Iraq Press Roundup The Status Of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, is nearing a late-November deadline when Iraq’s […]