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)

Sep 23, 2020

UPDATE: New 60-day sanctions waiver reflects ongoing U.S.-Iraq tension

When Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office, the U.S. granted Iraq a relatively long 120-day Iran sanctions waiver. That diplomatic honeymoon could be ending.

Sep 21, 2020

Iraq joins global vaccine alliance as cases rise

As a new member of the COVAX facility, Iraq secures access to future vaccines — but in the meantime, other measures are needed to avoid a winter spike.

Sep 20, 2020

Oil minister reshuffles Basra Oil Co. and other posts

New leadership for Iraq's largest state-run oil company, as well as the Iraqi Drilling Company and the Oil Ministry's Technical Directorate.

Sep 20, 2020

Should-be allies remain rivals in Iraq’s disputed territories

Power struggles between factionalized security forces in northern Iraq have left security gaps that insurgents continue to exploit.

Sep 14, 2020

UPDATE: Cabinet authorized Ismaael to lead national oil company

Advisors close to Prime Minister Kadhimi are elevated to top executive positions over economic and security issues.

Sep 3, 2020

Iraq moves toward restructuring oil sector with INOC law revisions

Cabinet and Oil Ministry legal teams have proposed amendments to the 2018 law to re-constitute the Iraqi National Oil Company, after Iraq's highest court deemed many articles unconstitutional.

Aug 17, 2020

Baghdad-Erbil revenue deal back on track

Officials announced a breakthrough in a deal exchanging custom revenue for civil servant payments.

Aug 13, 2020

Public spat hampers border-focused Baghdad-Erbil budget deal

The federal and Kurdistan regional governments are exchanging public recriminations over finances, despite optimism in some quarters about a deal that pushes aside perennial oil disputes.

Jul 31, 2020

Iraq in talks with Saudi Arabia and Honeywell over Basra mega-deal

Pivoting away from negotiations with ExxonMobil, Iraq is now putting the Ratawi oil field at the center of a prospective upstream, gas, and power deal with Saudi Arabia.

Jul 28, 2020

Kadhimi aims to reign in border corruption

New federal forces have deployed in a campaign to wrest control of border crossings from parties, paramilitary groups, and mafias.