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Security

Baghdad-Erbil progress fuels hope for counter-insurgency fight

The formation of two joint brigades highlights improving cooperation that could help combat IS militants and close security gaps.

Lt. Gen. Qasim Mohammed al-Mohammadi, commander of federal Iraqi ground forces, receives progress updates on two newly formed joint brigades while visiting command centers in Kirkuk, Salahaddin, and Diyala provinces on Sept. 25, 2024. (Photo credit: Ministry of Defense)
Apr 30, 2009

Gay Iraqis face persecution

Hospitals in Baghdad are receiving a new type of victim these days: young men attacked for being gay.

Mar 9, 2009

Iraq oil pipeline protection earns U.S. engineer honors

Plus: * Shahristani says low oil price warrants cut * Exxon Mobil leaning on Iraq investment * Women in Iraq * Iran-Iraq border dispute remains * Iraq's Agent Orange New physical barriers keeping would-be saboteurs from attacking Iraq's northern pipeline have led to increased oil exports. It's a major reason Elizabeth Burg, a U.S. Army […]

Feb 16, 2009

Security of Iraq oil expected to improve with Umm Qasr port revamp

Plus: *After the Istanbul meetings with international oil companies *Now Prime Minister Maliki takes charge *Electricity Ministry reaches out to Iran, Syria, Turkey counterparts *Obama calls Turkish leaders, talks include Iraq *Japan makes pre-loan visit to Basra *U.S. says Western investment incoming *Pres. Talabani's party in limbo *Much more The Iraqi Navy is paying the […]

Jan 30, 2009

Elections: THE Iraq story

Plus: *Elections and Oil *Background and context for historic provincial vote *Oil big in the SIGIR quarterly report to Congress *Minister of Planning calls for privatizing oil sector *Japan-Iraq strike strategic agreement, including oil sector *Chevron exec cagey optimistic on Iraq oil *Iraq oil unions unite workers for upcoming conference *Oil price hits Iraq economy, […]

Dec 11, 2008

Oil hub Kirkuk sees massive bombing during political lunch

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two people have pointed out corrections, or rather clarifications, that it is necessary to make to this post. I have left the original as a reminder of the risk of becoming detached. 1. The second paragraph of the first story should read: Yaseen Taha and Adam Ashton offer the most personal account and […]

Oct 7, 2008

Iraq oil and violence: the next Nigeria?

Plus: *Lukoil blames Shahristani for West Qurna deal *March deadline for first bids on oil and gas fields *December date for announcing second round *Oil and Electricity ministries combine forces on Mussaib topping plant * Alive in Baghdad: Baghdad Security Plan Burdens Residents * Turkey and the PKK, SOFA and more Recurrent violence in oil-rich […]

Jul 15, 2008

Iraqi oil contracts hold key to peace?

Dr. Mahmoud Othman, a lawmaker with the Kurdistan block in the federal Parliament in Baghdad, has denied statements attributed to him by the press saying that the Kurdistan Regional Government's oil contracts are illegal, the KRG said in a press statement. Dr. Othman has requested the Kurdistan Regional Government issue a statement on his behalf […]