Politics

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Workers from the Southern Projects Commission of Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects assemble a pipeline designed to carry regassified LNG imported via the Khor al-Zubair port in Basra to power stations in February 2025. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Mar 30, 2010

Labor negotiations grind to a halt in Basra

An acrimonious battle temporarily stops between bosses and workers in Iraq's southern oil sector while elections dominate Iraq and unions call for the end of Maliki's rule.

Mar 24, 2010

Protests across south Iraq as recount calls escalate

Fears of unrest grow as politicians, observers and insiders see Shia-dominated south unrest as the controversy over the March 7 vote recount grows.

Mar 22, 2010

Outrage in Basra as Kuwait drills cross-border deposits

Basra province alleges that Kuwaiti oil development could sap Iraqi resources, and calls for clarification of control of joint wells

Mar 18, 2010

Regenerated Basrawis vote for more Maliki

A bigger slice of the oil revenues pie and better security have sold a second Maliki term to the people of Basra.

Mar 16, 2010

Foreign oil companies face possible output constraint

OPEC quota and market economics reasons Iraq may tell foreign oil firms to reduce production below contracted plateau.

Mar 16, 2010

Kurds may struggle in Baghdad’s new political power structure

Iraq's Kurds still pegged for kingmaker status but demands for oil autonomy will be weakened by internal competition and challenges from resurgent Sunni voters.

Mar 11, 2010

Iraqi cabinet approves provincial oil refund law

Leaders in Kirkuk, Iraq's second largest oil producing province, cautiously optimistic about plan to increase redistribution of wealth to locals.

Mar 8, 2010

Early look: Maliki vs Allawi

In the infancy of Iraq's next government, voters appeared to have picked current prime minister Maliki and former premier Allawi.

Mar 8, 2010

Sunnis defy violence, cast vote into the unknown

Election Day at a polling center in the heart of Baghdad's dangerous Sunni neighborhood of Adhamiya reveals telling currents.

Mar 4, 2010

Iraq’s next oil minister

Any of these candidates for the oil portfolio in the next government have a massive task in reconstruction and expansion that will make or break the country.