Politics

Analysis: Iraqi elections approach, with high stakes for energy sector

Political insiders weigh in on potential election outcomes and their implications for the country’s investment climate.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (right) attend a ceremony to mark the opening of a 50 MW power plant at the Baiji refinery on Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry media office)

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.

Sep 17, 2021

Foreign investors recoil as Iraq restricts company ownership

Iraq has begun enforcing legislation that prevents foreigners from owning a majority stake in any Iraqi company, casting new uncertainty on an already difficult investment climate.

Sep 4, 2021

INOC launches, aiming to restructure Iraq’s oil sector

In his dual capacity as oil minister and INOC president, Ihsan Ismaael is moving key management authorities and oversight of state oil companies to the newly formed company.

Aug 30, 2021

Baghdad makes second KRG budget transfer

Erbil has now received $138 million payments in both July and August, as a fragile political deal revives financial flows that had been stalled since October 2020.

Aug 27, 2021

Macron visit feeds hopes of breakthrough for Total deal

The French president's second trip to Iraq in less than a year could potentially help push a massive energy deal across the finish line for TotalEnergies.

Aug 11, 2021

Q&A: Kurdistan Region VP Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa

The former Peshmerga leader and PUK politburo member reflects on the priorities and crises facing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.