Politics

Political disunity clouds KRG fiscal and energy outlooks

Deadlocked talks over forming a new regional Cabinet highlight a bitter rivalry between two ruling parties that poses risks to Kurdistan's economy and energy sector.

PUK President Bafel Talabni (left) meets with KDP President Massoud Barzani (right) on Sept. 27, 2025. (Photo credit: KDP presidency office)

Jan 9, 2020

U.S. sanctions threats cast shadow on Iraqi economy

Billions of oil dollars and access to Iranian power and gas are at risk if Trump rejects a sanctions waiver renewal next month – or worse, if Iraq is sanctioned itself, as he has threatened.

Jan 8, 2020

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 7, 2020

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Jan 7, 2020

Iraq-U.S. rifts widen after assassinations

Following the drone strike on Mohandis and Soleimani, Iraq is seeking a U.S. military withdrawal without provoking backlash from Trump.

Jan 3, 2020

Iraqi oil sector holds fast amid storm of U.S.-Iran conflict

Production and exports so far unaffected as some foreign oil workers evacuate, following the U.S. assassination of Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis.

Dec 31, 2019

Senior brain drain looms for Oil Ministry if federal retirement order goes into effect

Order reflects new labor law mandating retirement age of 60 except for ministers.

Dec 31, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Dec. 30, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Dec 30, 2019

Political vacuum could upend key Oil Ministry plans

A project to double the Nassiriya field's production capacity is tied to a federal budget likely strangled by political fighting.

Dec 29, 2019

Nassiriya oil field shut in as protests block staff access

Oil Ministry takes an 82,000 bpd field offline as de-escalation tactic in response to protests; overall production and exports unlikely to be affected nationwide.

Dec 26, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Dec. 24, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Dec 19, 2019

2020 budget delayed amidst political chaos

Iraq is headed for the new year without a new budget, casting uncertainty on investment spending plans and financial flows for Kurdistan.