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Politics

Baghdad-KRG stalemate continues over oil disputes

Budget transfers to Kurdistan have been frozen since May as negotiations to restart oil exports falter.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) chairs a Cabinet meeting on July 8, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Q&A: Hussain al-Shahristani

The government's top energy official discusses ExxonMobil's options, fourth bidding round contract models, and federalism.

Exxon deal stokes territorial disputes

ExxonMobil risks violent reprisals because its controversial deals with the Kurdistan region are inflaming Iraq's internal territorial disputes, according to Iraqi leaders.

Oil law deal unlikely this year

After politicians optimistically touted a new oil law negotiating framework, the two sides have yet to meet and positions remain entrenched.

Q&A: Barham Salih

Shortly after signing watershed deals with ExxonMobil, the KRG's prime minister discusses the resource curse, the U.S. withdrawal, and the future of Kurdistan's oil sector.

Oil law negotiators hit reset

Casting aside the two latest conflicting oil laws, Baghdad's Luaibi and the KRG's Hawrami will negotiate based on 2007 draft legislation.

Q&A: Ashti Hawrami

The Minister of Natural Resources for the Kurdistan region of Iraq talks about the ExxonMobil deal, prospects for the oil law, and refining policies.

Maliki to IOCs: us or them

The Iraqi prime minister has sent clear messages to ExxonMobil -- and other companies -- threatening retaliation against controversial deals with Kurdistan.

Oil law sees political progress

PM Maliki and Kurdish PM Salih return to the negotiating table with ambitions to bridge the KRG-Baghdad divide by passing oil legislation and resolving territorial disputes.