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 26, 2017

As Kurdistan casts independence vote, threats loom

The KRG oil sector is in the crosshairs of Iraq's Parliament and Turkey's president, who are seeking to stop the momentum of Kurdish secession after Monday's referendum.

Sep 25, 2017

Showdown turns to oil as referendum dispute intensifies

The day before Monday's Kurdistan independence referendum, Iraq's National Security Council called on the world to respect claims to federal control over oil and borders.

Sep 24, 2017

Run-up to referendum turns even more tumultuous

Two days before the Kurdistan independence referendum, Iraq’s Oil Ministry cautions against interfering with oil operations, Ankara and Baghdad reiterate warnings, and Kurdish parties show signs of fracture.

Sep 22, 2017

Q&A: Falah Mustafa Bakir, KRG Foreign Relations Minister

Kurdistan's top diplomat spells out what the U.S. and other allies must offer for KRG leaders to consider postponing their impending independence referendum.

Sep 19, 2017

Kurdistan gets Russian vote of confidence

Besieged by international pressure to delay its independence referendum, the KRG gets geopolitical backup from a Rosneft agreement to underwrite oil and gas export pipelines.

Sep 15, 2017

Parliament casts toothless vote to dismiss Kirkuk governor

Relations continue to deteriorate between leaders in Kurdistan and Baghdad ahead of a controversial independence referendum.

Sep 15, 2017

Kurdistan referendum inflames territorial disputes

In the northern Iraqi town of Mandali, controversy over Kurdistan's planned independence vote unleashed unruly protests and rogue paramilitaries.

Sep 12, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 12, 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.

Sep 12, 2017

Hawija offensive hamstrung by Baghdad-Erbil mistrust

Long-standing disputes over Kirkuk and its oil threaten to turn allies against each other as they prepare to chase IS from one of its last strongholds in Iraq.

Sep 6, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 6, 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.