Politics

Analysis: Worsening internal rivalries weaken KRG at key political juncture

Conflict between the KDP and PUK has driven dysfunction in Erbil and weakened Kurdish influence in Baghdad as a new government takes power.

Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (left), meets with newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (right), in Baghdad in May 2026. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Feb 24, 2026

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Feb 5, 2026

Iraq faces political disarray after Trump opposes Maliki’s return

Maliki defiantly asserts his right to lead the formation of a new government while Kurdish parties remain at odds over presidency.

Jan 19, 2026

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.

Dec 18, 2025

Chevron eyes Lukoil’s Iraq assets

The American company is emerging as the leading contender for the 480,000 bpd West Qurna 2 field as U.S. sanctions appear to be squeezing Lukoil out of Iraq.

Dec 10, 2025

Northern exports flow under promising but fragile oil and budget agreement

Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies appear to be implementing some key terms of a three-way oil export and budget deal, but ongoing success is hardly assured.

Dec 2, 2025

Kurdistan refinery protests spark deadly violence

At least one person is dead and several injured after security forces cracked down on unemployed truck drivers demanding work at the Lanaz refinery near Erbil.

Nov 19, 2025

Rosneft partially divests from Kurdistan’s export pipeline

In an apparent attempt to avoid exposure to U.S. sanctions, the company that operates Kurdistan's export pipeline has reduced Rosneft to a 49 percent share.

Nov 15, 2025

Analysis: Iraq’s 2025 election results

Preliminary results paint a picture of the balance of power in the next Parliament and the dynamics likely to shape government formation and the energy sector.

Nov 6, 2025

Pre-election Q&A series: Raed Hamdan al-Maliki, independent MP

Ahead of a consequential election for Iraq’s energy sector, key political figures give their outlook on the upcoming vote and government-formation process.

Nov 2, 2025

Pre-election Q&A series: Karim Aliwi Jahoush, MP with the Badr bloc

Ahead of a consequential election for Iraq’s energy sector, key political figures give their outlook on the upcoming vote and government-formation process.