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)

Feb 5, 2015

Iraq financial crisis prompts emergency action

Years of unrestrained spending and economic mismanagement have come to a head as oil prices drop and security costs soar, triggering risky fiscal maneuvers and IOC worries.

Feb 3, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Feb. 3, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Jan 30, 2015

With compromise budget, Iraq buys some time

Parliament passes budget with toned-down revenue expectations and rules for Baghdad-KRG oil cooperation.

Jan 29, 2015

UPDATE: Baghdad-Erbil cooperation fraying

Export and revenue flows have fallen short of expectations, threatening to undermine a tenuous oil accord, even with the budget approved.

Jan 27, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 27, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Jan 27, 2015

Parliament trims budget ahead of vote

The Finance Committee has cut Iraq's overall budget to $95 billion and shifted money from the Ministry of Defense to Shia militias and refugees.

Jan 20, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 20, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Jan 15, 2015

Q&A: Ahmad Chalabi

The head of the Parliament Finance Committee talks about priorities for cutting costs while being able to pay for defense, refugees and IOCs.

Jan 13, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 13, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Jan 8, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 7, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.