Iraq braces for change after Syria upheaval

Leaders across the political spectrum in Baghdad foresee new security threats, shifting political dynamics, and impacts on energy trade.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discusses events in Syria at a meeting of the State Administration Coalition — the major political groups in Sudani's governing coalition — on Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Oct 24, 2007

Turkish trouble and Shiite violence, all in oil-rich Iraq

Turkey may implement economic sanctions against the Kurdistan Regional Government, including cutting needed power supplies, Iran’s PressTV reports. It sounds like a squeeze on the KRG for not quashing the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party. The PKK is threatening to sabotage the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline – in the Kurdistan territory – but has yet to make good […]

Oct 17, 2007

Iraq’s oil law lags but the looming war is less of a threat to the crude

While the Turkish threat looms in northern Iraq, Simon Webb reports for Reuters oil will not be in harm’s way. Iraq’s controversial oil law has enough support in Parliament, but won’t be put forward until there is greater backing, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih told Reuters. But the Iraq war as a whole has helped […]

Oct 16, 2007

Iraq’s oil in the north could face Turkey’s wrath

While Turkey's government decides whether to enter Iraq in response to ongoing attacks blamed on Kurdish separatists hiding in the northern Iraq mountains, Iraq's oil sector pumps, and waits. Oil skyrocketed to $88 at one point Tuesday, before declining a few dollars, as concerns over global oil supplies and a new Iraq war strike nerves. […]

Sep 14, 2007

The Real Energy Security Factor

This week was filled with the Petraeus/Crocker/Congress/Bush/benchmark circus. It’s Friday and the Iraq Oil Report will now refrain (OK, I’ll have some good links at the end of today’s report). The three rings barely touched on oil anyway, with the administration touting the dissemination of oil revenue as a sign of success and Congress pointing […]