A major landmark was reached in the past week when the Iraqi federal government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) agreed on the first payments to oil companies operating in Iraqi Kurdistan. And while oil revenues are the backbone of the Iraqi economy, and international oil companies (IOCs) are essential to that reconstruction of the country, […]
After many years of searching, American forces have finally managed to track down and eliminate Osama Bin Laden. The news has reverberated around the world, and it has implications for all countries in the region, not least Iraq. Our security expert John Drake has been analysing the possible effects of this latest news for Iraq, […]
The following article was published by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. […]
With just another month to go in Nouri al-Maliki's 100-day ultimatum to his ministers to improve services, the Prime Minister is now increasing the pressure once more. In addition to sacking ministers who have not performed within the required time, Maliki is also suggesting dissolving the government or even the entire parliament, either at the […]
With the historic Arab League conference in Baghdad postponed for a second time, one might be forgiven for thinking that things were looking rather gloomy in Iraq. But the delays have more to do with turmoil outside Iraq, and while there are major challenges within the country, the recent news of oil finds and increased […]
Perhaps the most positive news out of Iraq in the past week came late on Wednesday, as the Canadian-based explorer ShaMaran Petroleum announced a major oil discovery at its Atrush-1 well in Kurdistan. ShaMaran has an 80% stake in the project, with Marathon Oil Corp holding the remaining 20%. The news comes as Baghdad and […]
As we go to press, and after many rumours and false reports, Iraq's parliament has still not agreed on the key ministries of defense, interior and national security, more than three months after the creation of Nouri al-Maliki's government. Our expert blogger John Drake reports that the number of attacks in Iraq has been rising […]
The following article was published on Tuesday by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
Visa problems for foreign workers in Iraq continue to make the headlines. Last week we reported on the difficulties caused by a decision to channel visa applications through the office of the Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki; now we hear that the Basra Investment Commission has imposed its own restrictions, with the intention of reducing unemployment. […]
At Iraq Business News, we realise how important it is for our readers to have access to the best possible information on Iraq and the industries that operate there. So to keep you informed, in addition to our website and weekly newsletter, we have put together a selection of the best Iraq-related business reports, some […]
As Bahrain declares a three-month state of emergency, and invites troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to help quell the protests, the effects of that particular unrest are being felt strongly in Iraq. Despite having plenty of local issues to complain about, thousands on Iraqi have responded to calls from Moqtada al-Sadr to […]
The following article was published on Monday by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
