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)

Aug 12, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 12, 2014

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

Aug 11, 2014

Maliki claims foul play as Abadi’s support grows

After key Maliki allies turn, Haider al-Abadi tasked with forming government, though his ascension to PM is hardly assured.

Aug 11, 2014

Haider al-Abadi nominated as Iraqi PM

Deadline defections from PM Maliki give deputy Parliament speaker the Shia coalition nod.

Aug 5, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 5, 2014

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

Jul 29, 2014

U.S. Marshals ordered to seize KRG crude

Iraq’s Oil Ministry stops oil from Kurdistan from being sold to American buyers.

Jul 24, 2014

UPDATE: Parliament elects new president, prioritizes budget

After selection of Fuad Masum as president, the all-important budget must compete with political and security crises for politicians' attention.

Jul 23, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 22, 2014

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

Jul 18, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 17, 2014

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

Jul 11, 2014

UPDATE: KRG takes Kirkuk, Bai Hassan fields

When the Oil Ministry gave orders to dismantle a key pipeline, the Kurds took over the NOC's fields, and post-2003 relations between Baghdad and Erbil have never been worse.

Jul 10, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 10, 2014

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