Iraqi oil politics

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani this month will face a chorus of critics in Parliament who are increasingly blaming him for a trio of oil-related problems: the failure of Parliament to pass a new oil law, lack of new contracts and declining output.

Just as Parliament’s Oil & Gas Committee officially requested he meet with them to answer questions, rumors grew that the Oil Minister may be among the officials reshuffled or removed from the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.