Via FDI, an interesting look at how the failed independence referendum and resignation of president Masoud Barzani have rocked the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its investment potential: Seen until recently as the most investor-friendly destination in Iraq, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is now at its weakest point since pre-2003 following a failed independence […]
Read more »Via Global Risk Insight, a look at oil and gas reserves in the autonomous Kurdish Region of Iraq: The development of oil and gas reserves in the autonomous Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) is a recent phenomenon which began after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Despite the KRI’s significant energy potential, it was impossible […]
Read more »Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal, an interesting look at growing investment interest in Iraq: For years, Iraq has careened from crisis to crisis. Now, some foreign companies see opportunity as the turmoil appears to be subsiding. After disruptive anti-corruption protests earlier this year, a degree of stability has returned to parliament. Weak oil prices […]
Read more »Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), an interesting look at the Islamic State’s oil production: Oil production is a crucial source of income for the Islamic State. As of March, it accounted for nearly half of the group’s total revenue, bringing in roughly $20 million each month. Beyond providing funds, oil refining is also a much-needed […]
Read more »Via Foreign Policy, an interesting look at Jordan’s economic interrelationship with Iraq: When the Iraqi army pushed the Islamic State out of the isolated desert town of Rutba last month, the fight received little attention. Yet the dusty settlement, wedged into a corner of Iraq close to the Jordanian and Syrian borders, is a prize […]
Read more »Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), interesting analysis of the potential for a pipeline to take Kurdish oil to market through Iran: For years, Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran have been in talks to construct a pipeline that would transport Kurdish oil to the Iranian market. Until now, the negotiations have lagged as the Kurdistan Regional Government […]
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