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 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.

Jul 24, 2025

New hope for Baghdad-KRG oil and budget deal

Federal financial transfer signals political will to implement an agreement that could result in re-starting northern oil exports, though further hurdles remain.

Jul 22, 2025

Turkey signals end of Iraq-Turkey Pipeline treaty

The agreement will now expire in July 2026, raising new questions about the future of oil exports from northern Iraq and the Kurdistan region.

Jul 17, 2025

Cabinet approves revived plan for re-starting northern exports

A new deal for oil and budget cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil faces significant challenges to implementation, including crippling attacks on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Jul 16, 2025

Kurdistan oil sector under attack

Drones struck Tawke and Ain Sifni on Wednesday, marking three consecutive days of attacks on Kurdistan oil fields.

Jul 15, 2025

Drones strike Kurdistan oil fields

Attack on HKN-operated Sarsang field coincides with the company's signing of a preliminary upstream deal with the federal Oil Ministry.

Jul 14, 2025

Q&A: Ali Shaddad al-Faris, MP and spokesperson for the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

Longtime energy MP talks about U.S. pressure on Baghdad and Erbil, the blame he places on KRG oil tactics, and the upside of the sitting oil minister entering elections.

Jul 9, 2025

Baghdad-KRG stalemate continues over oil disputes

Budget transfers to Kurdistan have been frozen since May as negotiations to restart oil exports falter.

Jun 23, 2025

Iraqi oil sector weathers Iran conflict

Production and exports have not suffered major interruptions so far, but exodus of foreign oil workers and border closures highlight risks of disruption.