Iraq's senior energy policy adviser has completed an ambitious national energy strategy, but political obstacles still loom.
Kurdish politicians expect to decide whether to withdraw from Maliki government in the next few days.
Top leaders from Baghdad, Ankara, and Erbil are all lobbying the Obama administration for decisive support, as all sides weigh the enormous consequences of a potential energy deal between Turkey and the KRG.
With the controversial approval of Iraq's 2013 budget, which allocates just $625 million for KRG oil contractors, Kurdish leaders say it's time for economic independence.
Kurdish legislators rallied allies to block vote on 2013 budget Tuesday, pressuring Baghdad to increase allocations for KRG oil contractors.
After a tense face-to-face negotiation between top central government and KRG oil officials, the 2013 budget is more stuck than ever in the conflict over Kurdistan's oil exports.
High-profile Iraqi leaders are speaking up for South Oil Company employees who have been protesting since early February, demanding better treatment and compensation.
Each week Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of the Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.
With the 2013 budget hanging in the balance, central government and KRG negotiators are trying and failing to agree on how – and how much – to pay oil producers in Kurdistan.
Each week Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of the Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.
