Security

Deadly political divisions raise risks for Kurdistan

Rivalries between political leaders in Sulaimaniya have exploded into violence and undermined relations between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two ruling parties at a key political moment.

Bafel Talabani (left) and Lahur Talabany (right) at a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party gathering on June 15, 2021. (Source: PUK Media)

Oct 17, 2007

Iraq’s oil law lags but the looming war is less of a threat to the crude

While the Turkish threat looms in northern Iraq, Simon Webb reports for Reuters oil will not be in harm’s way. Iraq’s controversial oil law has enough support in Parliament, but won’t be put forward until there is greater backing, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih told Reuters. But the Iraq war as a whole has helped […]

Oct 16, 2007

Iraq’s oil in the north could face Turkey’s wrath

While Turkey's government decides whether to enter Iraq in response to ongoing attacks blamed on Kurdish separatists hiding in the northern Iraq mountains, Iraq's oil sector pumps, and waits. Oil skyrocketed to $88 at one point Tuesday, before declining a few dollars, as concerns over global oil supplies and a new Iraq war strike nerves. […]

Sep 14, 2007

The Real Energy Security Factor

This week was filled with the Petraeus/Crocker/Congress/Bush/benchmark circus. It’s Friday and the Iraq Oil Report will now refrain (OK, I’ll have some good links at the end of today’s report). The three rings barely touched on oil anyway, with the administration touting the dissemination of oil revenue as a sign of success and Congress pointing […]