Politics

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.

Bafel Talabani (left) and Lahur Talabany (right) at a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party gathering on June 15, 2021. (Source: PUK Media)

May 8, 2018

Oil Ministry widens BP mandate in Kirkuk

BP's consulting deal to help maximize Kirkuk production now includes more fields, including key assets currently managed by the KRG.

May 3, 2018

Q&A: MP Ali al-Allaq, running on Haider al-Abadi’s list

A senior Dawa Party member allied with the prime minister in May 12 elections talks about party divisions and predictions for Abadi's Nasr list.

May 2, 2018

Q&A: Rebwar Karim Mahmood of the Coalition for Democracy and Justice party

The CDJ's leader in Sulaimaniya discusses his party, recently founded by former KRG PM Barham Salih, and the contours of future Kurdish political alliances.

May 2, 2018

Q&A: Abdulsatar Majid of the Komal party

A politburo member of a small but influential party in Kurdistan talks about the obstacles to Kurdish cohesion in Baghdad, and the changes the party is demanding in Erbil.

Apr 25, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Apr. 24, 2018

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

Apr 25, 2018

Q&A: Rabun Marouf of the New Generation party

The head of New Generation's Erbil office discusses the creation of a new party to challenge Kurdistan's political duopoly.

Apr 20, 2018

Q&A: Yousif Mohammed, Gorran’s leader in Sulaimaniya

The former KRG Parliament Speaker, once banned from Erbil, predicts a strong party showing but difficulties aligning with other Kurdish parties after next month's election.

Apr 18, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Apr. 17, 2018

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

Apr 17, 2018

Q&A: Farid Asasard, PUK leadership council member

Less than a month before national elections, a member of the PUK's leadership council talks about Kurdish party in-fighting, the struggle for a united stand in Baghdad and the impact on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Apr 12, 2018

Pressured by protests, KRG seeks Baghdad bailout

Ending a de-facto policy of economic independence, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani promises public-sector salaries that can only be sustained with Baghdad subsidies.