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)

Mar 30, 2015

Q&A: Oil Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi

Iraq's top oil man talks about renegotiating oil contracts, addressing long-standing disputes with Kurdistan, and building infrastructure and boosting exports.

Mar 26, 2015

Budget payment buoys Baghdad-KRG oil deal

Kurdistan has received a delayed February budget transfer of $408.3 million, keeping a tenuous oil export and revenue sharing deal alive.

Mar 26, 2015

North oil workers protest payment problems

North Oil Company staff decry salary payments in small-denomination currency and demand back pay, but say work stoppage is unlikely.

Mar 24, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 24, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 17, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 17, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 13, 2015

Oil deal imperiled by political discord

Leaders in Baghdad and Erbil aired contrasting interpretations – and contentious arguments – over their cooperative oil and revenue agreement.

Mar 11, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 10, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 4, 2015

KRG receives first 2015 budget payment

The money helps ease tension between Erbil and Baghdad, and comes as the KRG increases its facilitation of federal oil sales.

Mar 3, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 3, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Feb 27, 2015

UPDATE: KRG tanker unloads in Israel after abandoning US delivery

The KRG has given up its first attempt to sell independent pipeline exports to U.S. buyers, as the United Kalavryta is redirected to a port in Israel, and the American court has suspended proceedings.