Politics

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (left) and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (right) meet on Feb. 11, 2026 in Baghdad. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jul 27, 2018

Electricity service collapses as protests reignite

A shut-down of transmission lines left millions without power for hours, reinforcing the grievances of a protest movement that has caused minor disruptions at oil sites.

Jul 25, 2018

Before turbulent election day, Iraq ignored key warnings

As Iraq suffers a crisis of public confidence in its May 12 election results, evidence shows the election commission failed to act on detailed UN warnings about serious problems.

Jul 13, 2018

Government offers oil job promises to settle protesters

Demonstrators turned violent on fifth straight day of protests in an attempt to enter Basra oil fields, though were repelled by security forces.

Jul 9, 2018

Protester killed in services protest outside Basra oil field

Iraqi security forces shot protesters in an escalation of chronic frustration with a lack of jobs and services, including salty water that shut down the Basra refinery.

Jul 5, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 3, 2018

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Jun 28, 2018

Supreme Court delays crucial oil rights ruling

Kurdistan scolded for late response to court, as both it and federal government instructed to present additional legal arguments.

Jun 26, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: June 26, 2018

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Jun 22, 2018

Supreme Court supports recount, raises new questions

Iraq's highest court largely backed a Parliament law requiring a manual recount of the May 12 elections, but political leaders disagree about how to interpret the ruling.

Jun 22, 2018

Bai Hassan is back online as Iraqi production grows

Kirkuk production has increased, but the Oil Ministry's efforts to find new routes to market for stranded capacity are incomplete.

Jun 22, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: June 20, 2018

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.