politics

from red lines to red carpets: iraqi pm visits kurdish region

They have criticized one another harshly and their forces have come dangerously close to real military conflict. But last weekend the Iraqi PM and Iraqi Kurdistan’s President were hugging and kissing. Locals are asking: why the sudden warmth? by Zanko Ahmad in Sulaymaniyah (13.06.2013) more

economy

one million barrels oil a day by 2015 – and more earthquakes?

Iraqi Kurdistan has a sea of oil and politicians are eager to exploit the resource. But one expert says oil extraction must be more carefully managed. There may be more earthquakes in the region if it’s not. by Hiwa Barznjy in Erbil (13.06.2013) more

politics

al qaeda 2013: community outreach and chemical weapons

As levels of violence rise in Iraq again and the conflict takes on a sectarian appearance, locals are saying that extremist group, Al Qaeda, are taking a new – and successful - tack. by Daoud al-Ali in Baghdad (06.06.2013) more

economy

dodgy dinar: fake passports in bogus banking, currency crisis

During the past month of violence, the Iraqi dinar’s value has fluctuated radically. Now black market money men are using Iraq’s poorer passport holders to take advantage of a government measure to stabilise currency. by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad (30.05.2013) more

politics

taking the fight to syria: kurdish rivalries play out over the border

The KDP and PUK parties are former enemies turned partners to rule Iraqi Kurdistan. But some say the KDP been trying to take advantage of PUK leader Jalal Talabani’s ill health to win friends and influence people – and, especially, people in Syria. by Eric Bruneau in Sulaymaniyah (30.05.2013) more

society

honour crimes: iraqi law means soft sentences for wife-killers

Article 409 of Iraq’s penal code says that if you find your wife in bed with another man, you can kill her and only spend three years in jail. While tribal leaders try to find bloodless solutions, activists say it’s time for a law change and community groups believe it’s all about education. by Murtada Taleb in Basra (30.05.2013) more

society

black skies over qayara: oil well fire poisons locals

After extremists set off bombs on Iraq’s most dangerous oil field, the resulting fire burned for a month. The result: toxic smoke, two deaths, accusations, environmental disaster and lots of dirty laundry. by Abdullah Salem in Mosul (30.05.2013) more