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)

Oct 9, 2007

Politics on the mind as Turkey threatens invasion, while Big Oil decides on waiting for Baghdad

Turkey is being pressed to respond to an increase in Kurdish rebel attacks by invading Iraq, where the rebels are allegedly holing up. More after the energy-related news. Meanwhile, Lionel Laurent writes for Forbes.com that the small oil firms are making their mark in Iraq and Big Oil is betting on Baghdad. He asks, Is […]

Oct 4, 2007

Iraqi Kurd oil deals continue to make headlines while the export of the oil may be tricky

The rest of the U.S. and global media have now picked up on my story for UPI from Tuesday on the four new approved and two already signed production sharing contracts with foreign firms. Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government made a sudden but not unexpected announcement Tuesday it had signed four more controversial oil deals. While […]

Oct 3, 2007

Congress wants answers on Hunt deal while its CEO denies any State Dept. conversation

Rep. Edward Markey has demanded answers to 12 questions from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In a letter Tuesday, he said the Hunt Oil-Kurdistan Regional Government deal is sketchy and hurts the U.S. agenda in Iraq. Bob Davis, Chip Cummins and Neil King Jr. report for the Wall Street Journal that Hunt CEO Ray Hunt […]