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)

May 17, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 17, 2016

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

May 1, 2016

‫Protesters demanding reform storm Green Zone

Political dysfunction reaches a breaking point, as protesters answering to Moqtada al-Sadr ransack Parliament after several parties again stonewalled Abadi's Cabinet reforms.

Apr 26, 2016

UPDATE: Chaotic Parliament confirms five new ministers

After protesting legislators shouted and threw empty water bottles at the prime minister, the Parliament approved part of a Cabinet overhaul.

Apr 13, 2016

Abadi’s Cabinet reform ignites political upheaval

The prime minister's second attempt to overhaul his Cabinet sets off a protest in the Parliament chamber and threats of a no-confidence vote.

Apr 12, 2016

New oil minister tapped in second try at Cabinet overhaul

Former South Oil Company chief Jabbar Allibi nominated to head the Oil Ministry, as Abadi makes a second attempt to reform his Cabinet.

Apr 5, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: April 5, 2016

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

Mar 31, 2016

UPDATE: New oil minister nominated in Cabinet overhaul

Abadi taps Nazar Numan, a Kurdish geologist, to run the Oil Ministry, and proposes Ali Allawi to once again head the Finance Ministry.

Mar 29, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 29, 2016

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

Mar 24, 2016

UPDATE: Oil minister steps down ahead of Cabinet shake-up

Adil Abd al-Mahdi has left the Oil Ministry and ceded authority to his deputy, as Baghdad braces for PM Abadi's Cabinet overhaul.

Mar 23, 2016

Basra pushes toward financial autonomy

Provincial leaders claim rights to all revenues from two oil fields and a portion of customs fees in an effort to bypass Baghdad's fiscal management.