Early elections have been pushed from June to October as the UN presses Iraq to avoid the disastrous mismanagement that undermined the last national vote.

Trump administration had been more aggressive on Iraq's energy deals with Iran, issuing a 45-day waiver in November.

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani was acting head of the Ministry of Natural Resources since mid 2019, when longtime minister Ashti Hawrami was moved to a senior advisory role.

Parliament showdown looms over unsustainable spending, new taxes, and KRG oil revenues.

A leaked copy of the Cabinet's provisional 2021 draft budget confirms a major currency devaluation — and an unchecked trend of unsustainable spending.

MPs say Iraq's 2021 budget is likely to bring a significant drop in the value of the dinar, helping the government's balance sheet but hurting the purchasing power of most Iraqis.

Protests and violence in Sulaimaniya add urgency to KRG efforts to resolve disputes and secure budget transfers from Baghdad.

New legislation could reduce the influence of political party bosses, but reformers still see major hurdles to free and fair elections.

As hostilities with Iran resume, a shortened waiver period gives the outgoing Trump administration one last opportunity to wield economic leverage in Iraq.

A broad range of political, security, and business leaders say they expect no sea change in U.S. policy toward Iraq, while hoping for reduced tensions with Iran.