Politics

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (left) and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (right) meet on Feb. 11, 2026 in Baghdad. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

May 8, 2018

Q&A: Saad Mutalabi, candidate on Nouri al-Maliki’s list

A member of the State of Law coalition says voters keen on improving the economy will help bring the former PM back to power.

May 8, 2018

Q&A: Mohammed Khurshid, head of KDP in Kirkuk

The KRG's ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party is trying to retain influence and win votes in Iraq's national elections despite losing control of key disputed territories.

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.