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)

Oct 28, 2017

Despite hostilities, northern exports flow

Federal authorities are sending crude through the Kurdistan export pipeline and into Turkish port storage under KRG control - a sign of rare cooperation at a time of explosive political friction.

Oct 25, 2017

With more oil assets threatened, KRG proposes truce

Federal forces are massing for a potential operation to take Feyshkabour, which would effectively end Kurdistan's independent pipeline exports.

Oct 24, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 24, 2017

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

Oct 19, 2017

Khurmala in the crosshairs

Federal forces scramble to reinforce dramatic gains in Iraq's disputed territories, as the KRG fortifies a key oil asset in anticipation of another potential confrontation.

Oct 18, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 17, 2017

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

Oct 17, 2017

Kirkuk crisis redraws northern Iraq’s oil map

Federal forces are advancing deep into disputed territories beyond Kirkuk, fundamentally changing the balance of power over oil in northern Iraq.

Oct 16, 2017

Violence as federal forces move further toward Kirkuk

Iraqi security forces have been ordered to retake control of oil assets and military bases that have been under KRG protection since 2014.

Oct 14, 2017

Battles erupt in Tuz Khurmatu as KRG-Baghdad crisis escalates

Following provocative federal troop movements on the southern outskirts of Kirkuk, Peshmerga-Hashid fighting has broken out in another part of Iraq's disputed territories.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

As political and military tensions mount around Kirkuk, the governor discusses the future of the province and its oil.

Oct 12, 2017

Hashid-Peshmerga battles near Kirkuk raise specter of war

The KRG fears federal Iraqi forces are plotting a "major attack" days after tensions combusted into two, hour-long firefights near the disputed Bai Hassan oil field.