Partial Results from Provincial Elections
By Reidar Visser. 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. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
UN Envoy Disappointment at Election Delays
The top United Nations official in Iraq today expressed his disappointment at the Government’s decision to postpone until early July Governorate Council elections in two western provinces, reportedly due to security concerns. Polls in Anbar and Ninewa, set to have taken place along with other provincial elections on 20 April, were pushed back until 4 […]
Hawija: Wider Ramifications in Iraqi Politics
By Reidar Visser. 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. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
Building the Educational Pipeline in Kurdistan
By Madeleine White, educationalist, writer and Head of Strategic Partnerships, Whizz Education. As I have mentioned previously, education is never just about a school building. A school is a function or a service, set within a suitable building that is able to support people to reach their full potential. In order for this to happen there are […]
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
By Padraig O'Hannelly. Before the local elections, an art student climbed the tallest building in central Baghdad and hung a banner depicting a giant eye, with the caption "We can see you", overlooking the Green Zone. It's an image that should be in the minds of all who consider bribery to be a perk of […]
Weekly Security Update 16 - 24 April 2013
By Tom Walker, Director, Assaye Risk COUNTRY OVERVIEW At least 235 people have died in a week marred by election violence and government brinkmanship, bringing the total number of fatalities this year to approx. 1541. The situation in Iraq remains tense as voters deal with the results of a disappointing election and an emboldened government […]
Rosneft Sets Sights on Iraq
By John Lee. Russian news agency RT reports that Rosneft is considering a joint venture with ExxonMobil in Iraq. Company President Igor Sechin (pictured) told reporters: "We will work with anyone who offers good terms, we'll work with ExxonMobil too." An Iraqi oil ministry delegation will visit Moscow on 10th May to discuss the deal. […]
Genel Converting Gas Pipeline to Carry Oil
By John Lee. Genel Energy has said it has made significant progress on getting a pipeline to reach the Turkish border. Conversion of a pipeline in the Kurdish region from natural gas to oil could be finished as early as the fourth quarter of this year, reports UPI. The company said it expects exports to […]
Lukoil Expects 150,000 bpd from West Qurna-2
By John Lee. Lukoil Chief Executive Officer Vagit Alekperov (pictured) has said that the Russian company expects to produce around 150,000 bpd of oil from the West Qurna-2 field by January: "The program of developing the oilfield infrastructure is proceeding according to schedule and work is ongoing at all the sites ... From 1st January […]
Video: Iraq to Investigate Killing of Protestors
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's government has said it will set up a commission to investigate the killing of at least 20 protesters by soldiers. On Tuesday, security forces raided a protest camp in the town of […]
Video: Kurdish Journalists Protest
From Iran’s PressTV. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Officials in Iraq's Kurdistan Region have been shown the yellow card - quite literally. The warning comes from Kurdish journalists who say violations against them must stop. Journalists voiced their demands outside Kurdistan's […]
Iraqi Kurdistan Open To Arab Investment
By Abdel Hamid Zebari for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Arab states no longer look at the Kurdistan Region of Iraq with suspicion and apprehension, especially after the regional capital, Erbil, was selected as the Arab Capital of Tourism for […]



