Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraqi politics news, keeping you up to date with the latest information and developments.
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved an exception for US-based HKN Energy, allowing it to bypass the standard qualification criteria and receive a direct invitation to develop the Hamrin oil field in northern Iraq. Last week, the Ministry of Oil signed an agreement in principle with HKN to develop the field, aiming to […]
By Shilan Fuad Hussain, for the London School of Economics (LSE) Middle East Centre. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Battling the 'Patriarchal Trifecta': Women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Their Battle for Self-Agency In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, held an emergency session on Thursday and issued a series of binding decisions regarding oil production and financial coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). In a major development, the Cabinet approved the immediate transfer of all oil produced in the Kurdistan […]
By John Lee. The US State Department has announced the end of Ordered Departure Status for personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, effective July 17, 2025. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce (pictured) stated that personnel who had been temporarily relocated outside Iraq will begin a phased return to their […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a brief explainer on Iraq's exchange rate arrangement. As part of a follow-up to last week's report on the state of the Iraqi economy, the IMF clarified as follows: "Exchange Rate Arrangement "Iraq's de jure and de facto exchange rate arrangements are classified as a […]
By John Lee. In a follow-up to last week's report on the state of the Iraqi economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a new 19-page report titled: "Unlocking Iraq's economic potential: The role of structural reforms in boosting medium-term non-oil growth." Click here to download the full report. To browse our comprehensive library […]
By John Lee. A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the restructuring of state-owned banks (SOBs) can foster the development of the private sector and improve growth. It adds: "Strengthening the financial sector can support private sector credit, fostering investment and growth. "To this end, the authorities are finalizing a […]
By John Lee. The Council of the European Union has appointed Ralf Schröder (pictured) as the new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq). He will take up his duties on 16th August 2025. According to a statement: Ralf Schröder is a high-ranked German police officer with 30 years […]
From the Lutheran World Federation (LWF): The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has addressed the UN Human Rights Council highlighting key women's rights issues during the council's session that reviewed the human rights situation in Iraq. Iraq has made progress by setting up new shelters, hotline services, and public campaigns addressing violence against women and girls. […]
By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Leveraging Iran's Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations Tehran's Iraqi proxies mostly sat out the twelve-day war, but this pragmatic restraint will not forestall growing […]
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Judicial drama puts spotlight on future of top Iraqi court The dust is settling after an unprecedented crisis in Iraq's Federal Supreme Court. Barely two weeks ago, nine judges submitted their resignations, paralyzing […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Iraq's economy is facing considerable headwinds, with non-oil sector growth slowing from 13.8 percent in 2023 to an estimated 2.5 percent in 2024, impacted by reduced public investment, a weaker trade balance, and financing constraints that led to the accumulation of arrears. Real GDP […]
