Kurdistan's president still wields power after Parliament failed to reduce his authority. But his term has formally ended and his legitimacy remains contested.

Kurdistan's revenue flows are being disrupted by political controversy over the presidency, and federal budget transfers have stopped.

With President Barzani's term nearly expired, opponents try to curb his power through parliamentary action, while a legal ruling boosts his case for staying in power.

Iraq's election authority certified a minor victory on Monday for a movement that seeks to transform Basra province into a region with autonomy akin to Kurdistan.

The prime minister's national governance reform initiative is already affecting the day-to-day operations of Basra province, including entities that interact with IOCs.

Massud Barzani has only a week and a half left in office, and the region’s political parties remain far apart on a solution to the pending power vacuum.