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, 2012

Oil law committee members named

A Parliament order has named the five negotiators who will attempt to overcome long-standing differences and synthesize a new draft oil law.

Sep 19, 2012

Iraqi Cabinet approves Kurdish export agreement

Baghdad takes a step toward paying the KRG for rising exports, but technical and political hurdles remain.

Sep 15, 2012

Kurdish exports to hit 250k bpd next year

If the Iraqi Cabinet approves a new KRG-Baghdad oil deal, Kurdistan will agree to export a quarter-million barrels per day in 2013.

Sep 13, 2012

Update: Progress in KRG-Baghdad oil talks

The oil ministers from the central and Kurdish governments agreed that Kurdistan will boost exports and Baghdad will pay contractors.

Sep 13, 2012

New committee for oil law

A special subcommittee will determine which version of the controversial law will be the basis for debate in Parliament.

Sep 12, 2012

Analysis: Baghdad plotting retaliation against Exxon, wayward IOCs

Kurdistan's contractors have escaped serious consequences for defying Baghdad's claims of oil sector supremacy – but central government leaders are preparing to follow through on their threats.

Sep 5, 2012

Baghdad advances threat to Kurdistan budget

The Iraqi Cabinet is targeting more than $3 billion in cuts from the KRG budget, as a bitter dispute over oil exports comes to a head.

Aug 31, 2012

Special committee to jump-start oil law

A new Parliament panel will facilitate long-delayed oil legislation, as leaders struggle to overcome a crippling political crisis.

Aug 13, 2012

Baghdad re-asserts itself

Shahristani touts record production in outreach to IOCs – including better contract terms – and warnings to KRG, Turkey.

Aug 9, 2012

Experts demand Parliament take oil action

Former Iraqi oil officials pen letter urging Parliament to unilaterally move on oil law, in a critique of Baghdad and Erbil.