Politics

New hope for Baghdad-KRG oil and budget deal

Federal financial transfer signals political will to implement an agreement that could result in re-starting northern oil exports, though further hurdles remain.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (right) hosts Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in Baghdad on July 3, 2024. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jan 11, 2022

KRG shuts border with Syrian Kurds, cutting oil artery

The closure blocks a major source of funding for the Rojava administration, a U.S. ally in the fight against IS.

Dec 15, 2021

Water shortages prompt RPG fire near Gharraf oil field

As Iraq begins to suffer the intensifying effects of climate change, competition for water threatens to spark conflict.

Dec 15, 2021

Looming arbitration highlights Kurdistan’s gas strategy woes

Genel Energy is taking the KRG to arbitration after years of failure to agree on a plan for developing the Miran and Bina Bawi gas fields.

Dec 8, 2021

Iraq seeks to diversify power imports as Iran tightens supply

Iraq's electricity service has suffered amidst unreliable gas and power imports from Iran, but efforts are moving slowly to diversify supply via four other neighboring countries due to unresolved pricing negotiations.

Dec 1, 2021

Q&A: Jassim Abdul Aziz al-Falahi, Minister of Environment

Iraq's envoy to the COP26 climate summit discusses the effects of global warming and the country's position on international action.

Nov 23, 2021

Student protests highlight ongoing KRG budget pressures

Demonstrators have blocked highways and picketed government buildings in Sulaimaniya and Erbil, demanding a further unwinding of government austerity measures.

Nov 17, 2021

Climate change comes to Iraq

Unprecedented droughts are drying up farm land, driving migration to cities, and compounding economic hardships and instability.

Oct 26, 2021

Q&A: Begard Talabani, KRG Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources

Climate change, drought, and strained water relations with Iran and Turkey are creating major challenges for Kurdistan and its farmers.

Oct 15, 2021

Analysis: Iraq’s 2021 election results

Five big takeaways from the provisional results of Iraq's Oct. 10 national elections.

Oct 9, 2021

New PKK election strategy highlights intra-Kurdish tensions

The Kurdish separatist group is making an unprecedented foray into Iraqi politics, using upcoming national elections to challenge Iraqi Kurdistan's ruling party.