Politics

U.S. sanctions Maarij, escalating pressure over next Iraqi Cabinet

The first American designation of a sitting senior Oil Ministry official comes as Iraqi leaders negotiate the composition of a new government.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (left) meets with Deputy Minister Ali Maarij at the Oil Ministry in Baghdad on Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Oct 28, 2025

Pre-election Q&A series: Sheikh Faisal al-Issawi of the Azm Alliance

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

Oct 21, 2025

Pre-election Q&A series: Shwan Mohammed Kalari, rapporteur of the KDP in the Iraqi Parliament

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

Oct 21, 2025

Pre-election Q&A series: Adnan al-Jabiri, deputy head of the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

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

Oct 16, 2025

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.

Oct 15, 2025

Iraq races to finalize oil deals ahead of elections

Sudani administration activates a major contract with BP and strikes preliminary agreements with ExxonMobil and Chevron as national elections near and deal-making window starts to shut.

Sep 30, 2025

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.

Sep 26, 2025

Iraq preps for northern exports after clinching tripartite oil deal

Test flows are expected to begin Saturday as Baghdad, Erbil, and IOCs reach agreement on cooperative pipeline exports via Turkey.

Sep 22, 2025

Kurdistan poised to restart pipeline exports

Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies appear to have reached a three-way agreement to resume Kurdistan's oil exports under federal authority.

Sep 11, 2025

Deadly political divisions raise risks for Kurdistan

Rivalries between political leaders in Sulaimaniya have exploded into violence and undermined relations between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two ruling parties at a key political moment.

Aug 19, 2025

Baghdad reaffirms conditions for KRG budget support

Iraq's Cabinet said Tuesday that further payments are contingent on the KRG transferring most of its oil production and non-oil revenue to Baghdad.