Politics

Iran protests bring new volatility to Iraq’s politics and markets

Rising threats to Iran's regime have the potential to weaken Tehran's influence in Baghdad and disrupt cross-border trade and currency dynamics.

A demonstration in Tehran on Jan. 12, 2026. (MASOUD SHAHRESTANI/Wikimedia Commons)

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 […]

Feb 28, 2008

Iraq’s oil law, KRG vs. Baghdad and making deals on their own and what is Iraq’s oil potential…

Plus: *Iraqi Kurds, Iraqi Arabs, Washington and Ankara square up over the Turkish invasion into northern Iraq *Kirkuk pipeline to Turkey stops *Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq challenged in southern provincial strongholds *Iraq Press Roundup *Much, much more… Iraq's draft oil law is stalled in Parliament, the national government and Kurdistan Regional Government are moving […]

Feb 27, 2008

Today’s Iraq Oil Report is a cultural and political wrap-up, still vital information if you’re following Iraq’s oil sector.

Iraq’s Kurdish government says it will allow its security forces to confront Turkey if the Turkish troops chase Kurdish separatists into civilian areas, Asso Ahmed and Tina Susman report for the Los Angeles Times. Turkish troops are digging deeper into Iraq territory, John Affleck reports for The Associated Press. And violence in the rest of […]