Politics

Election of Iraqi President launches apparent Sudani gambit for second term

Iraqi insiders from across the political spectrum say Sudani is making a play to seize momentum and form a new government.

Newly elected Iraqi President Nizar Amedi (right) meets with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (left) in Baghdad in April 2026. (Photo credit: Iraqi Presidency)

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 […]

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 […]