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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)
Nov 1, 2007

Iraq oil, below the volatile south and north strife

Plus: Issam Chalabi, one-on-one Baghdad's uneven power distribution U.S. OK's Saddam-era oil law deals Tackling unemployment The most underrated powder keg in Iraq is located in the south -- away from Baghdad’s political beef and the Turkish invasion of Iraq’s northern front -- where 80 percent of Iraq’s proven oil reserves are located. Political factions, […]

Oct 31, 2007

U.S. OK’s Saddam oil law for today’s oil deals

The U.S. State Department says an oil law implemented under Saddam Hussein is good enough for Iraq’s national government to sign oil deals, though it would prefer a new national law -- mired in controversy and far from approved -- to be used instead. The new position is a shift for the U.S. government, or […]

Oct 26, 2007

The State Department again warns oil companies from signing deals with Iraq

Plus: A Turkish Invasion Update Iraq Oil Smuggling and Keeping Tabs on the Loot Iraqis Against Biden Remembering King Faisal II The U.S. is reiterating its plea to international oil not to sign oil deals in Iraq prior to a national oil law. "We continue to advise companies from outside of Iraq that they incur […]

Oct 23, 2007

Two months before a breakdown in Iraqi politics over oil law, other issues

Iraq’s government spokesman, Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, detailed the struggles the Iraqi government faces during a speech Monday at the U.S. Institute of Peace. His focus was on the Turkish issue, Iranian influence, and militia and insurgent activity. On the oil law, he said there are a number of technical points to be ironed out, but […]

Oct 22, 2007

Fears of Iraq oil loss because of Turkish invasion misguided

Turkey’s invasion will likely be precise and direct in targeting the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party in northern Iraq, far enough from Iraq’s oil fields and pipelines. But the fallout could go many directions – from very slight to erupting in the region and putting both Iraq’s and Turkey’s oil sector -- vital to the world […]

Oct 19, 2007

Markey wants White House to answer questions on Hunt Oil deal

The White House is now being queried on the connections to Ray Hunt, head of Hunt Oil Corp., regarding the companies deal with Iraq’s Kurdistan government. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., has sent a letter raising concerns over Hunt’s role on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Markey wants answers to 13 questions on Hunt’s role […]

Oct 15, 2007

House Oversight Committee Wants Answers from Hunt Oil, State Dept.

Reps. Henry Waxman, chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Subcommittee on Domestic Policy chair Dennis Kucinich have sent a letter to Ray Hunt, the CEO, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker demanding answers to questions regarding the September deal between Hunt Oil and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Specifically, the Committee wants to know […]