Security

Akkas gas field falters despite increasing power needs

Even as wartime supply disruptions push Iraq toward a summertime electricity crisis, the Akkas gas field is producing at a fraction of its potential.

Representatives of the Iraqi Oil Ministry and the U.S. company SLB gather in Baghdad on July 22, 2025, for the signing of a contract for the development of the Akkas gas field. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Jan 27, 2024

Drone strike hits Khor Mor, causing temporary power cuts

Thursday's attack on the gas field — the seventh in two years — caused a fire and forced a shutdown in gas production critical for power supplies in both Kurdistan and federal Iraq.

Dec 23, 2023

Anti-U.S. attacks bring new phase of security challenges for Iraq

Sparked by the Gaza war, increased strikes on American targets highlight the weakness of an Iraqi government pinned between opposing political and military forces.

Nov 21, 2023

Two-month teachers’ strike underscores severity of Baghdad-Erbil problems

The fall semester still hasn't started for public school students in Kurdistan's Sulaimaniya province due to financial and political dysfunction.

Oct 24, 2023

Deadly firefight highlights unresolved tensions over territorial disputes

Iraqi Army and Peshmerga forces clashed over a strategically important position near key energy assets.

Oct 12, 2023

Kurdistan sees rising threat of home-grown extremism

Security and intelligence forces are exposing sleeper cells of Kurdish youth radicalized by Islamic State ideology in alarming numbers.

Sep 12, 2023

Budget stalemate threatens Kurdistan’s solvency and stability

Baghdad takes a hard line against budget transfers to KRG as negotiations falter, prompting civil servant strikes and imminent protests.

Aug 15, 2023

Drone strikes highlight perils of Turkey-PKK war for Iraqi Kurdistan

Increasingly frequent attacks deep inside KRG territory pose danger for civilians and underscore challenges for diplomacy.

Aug 9, 2023

Fractious Iranian Kurdish dissidents pose challenge for KRG stability

A splintering of opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan is complicating efforts to meet Iranian demands for secure borders in order to avoid more drone and missile attacks.

Mar 5, 2023

Iraq increases training of Hashid paramilitary officers

Rising investment of military resources signals enduring power of politically connected armed groups.

Feb 16, 2023

Q&A: Jawad Bolani, member of the Parliament Security and Defense Committee

Iraq's former interior minister discusses the structure of the country's military and top security issues facing the new government.