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 […]

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. […]

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: 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 […]