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 3, 2013

Barzani-Maliki deal sets process, again, for agreement

Senior officials in Erbil and Baghdad have come away from a two-day meeting with a commitment – but no deal – to tackle a comprehensive list of differences.

May 3, 2013

Kurdistan parliament sets payday ultimatum

Frustrated by the latest federal budget and with new pipeline infrastructure in development, the Kurdistan region is preparing to tell Baghdad: pay us or we will get paid ourselves.

May 2, 2013

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 2, 2013

Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.

Apr 24, 2013

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: April 23, 2013

Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.

Apr 19, 2013

Oil autonomy spreading to Iraq’s provinces

Inspired by Kurdistan's independent oil sector, Wasit and Salahaddin provinces have signed politically risky exploration deals with small international companies.

Apr 16, 2013

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: April 16, 2013

Each week Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of the Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.

Apr 10, 2013

Conflict over Kurdistan oil transparency

Political disputes between Erbil and Baghdad have clouded a promising transparency initiative meant to protect Iraq's oil sector from mismanagement and corruption.

Apr 9, 2013

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: April 9, 2013

Each week Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of the Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.

Apr 9, 2013

Oil workers start new protests despite reprisals

As the head of the major oil union prepares for trial, oil workers in Basra have renewed their demands for payments and other worker rights.

Apr 7, 2013

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: April 7, 2013

Each week Beyond the Headlines features a raw translation of the Cabinet decisions, as made public in Arabic by the media office of the Council of Ministers.