Politics

Political disunity clouds KRG fiscal and energy outlooks

Deadlocked talks over forming a new regional Cabinet highlight a bitter rivalry between two ruling parties that poses risks to Kurdistan's economy and energy sector.

PUK President Bafel Talabni (left) meets with KDP President Massoud Barzani (right) on Sept. 27, 2025. (Photo credit: KDP presidency office)

Aug 9, 2023

Fractious Iranian Kurdish dissidents pose challenge for KRG stability

A splintering of opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan is complicating efforts to meet Iranian demands for secure borders in order to avoid more drone and missile attacks.

Aug 9, 2023

KRG starts work to expand gas pipeline network

Construction is underway on a new pipeline to bring gas supplies from the Khor Mor field up to Dohuk.

Aug 2, 2023

Partial budget payment highlights divide in Baghdad-Erbil negotiations

The KRG has received 598 billion dinars under the new budget law — a fraction of its theoretical monthly entitlement.

Jul 28, 2023

Baghdad and Erbil claim progress toward budget implementation

Key details remain unresolved, including the lynchpin issue of whether oil companies will get paid enough to enable KRG fields to restart.

Jul 25, 2023

KRG begins implementing budget law with crude transfers to Baghdad

Sign of cooperation bolsters KRG argument for starting federal budget transfers.

Jul 13, 2023

UPDATE: Deal struck to trade Iranian gas for Iraqi oil

The oil-for-gas deal could sort out a number of internal Iraqi issues – both energy and political.

Jun 28, 2023

Cabinet suspends approval of major oil export expansion

Political scrutiny of a contract is delaying a subsea pipeline project with the potential to lift export capacity by 500,000 bpd in a year.

Jun 23, 2023

Iraq-Turkey talks begin over pipeline, but no signs of progress

Ankara sent a technical delegation to Baghdad but the two sides seem far from the top-level political agreement needed to restart oil flows.

Jun 13, 2023

Parliament passes budget after gutting KRG revenue guarantees

New budget law appears to represent a rejection of the recent Baghdad-Erbil political deals that had sought to balance oil and financial authorities.

Jun 8, 2023

Protesting refinery workers block fuel supplies in southern Iraq

Upset about provisions in Iraq's draft budget law, refinery employees are shutting down tanker traffic and threatening a crippling fuel shortage.