The players - resources on key people and personalities in Iraq.
Issues and ideas - a selection of articles on key topics.
Perspectives from the GSN archives - Articles from GSN's extensive database.
Invest in Iraq - Information resources created by the GSN team for the Invest Iraq conference, London 2009.
Federal Government list
Who's who in the government.
Published Nov 2009. Download the PDF
Kurdistan Regional Government list
Who's who in the KRG.
Updated October 2009. Download the PDF
Advantage Maliki: MPs’ endorsement edges PM closer to power
Many months after Iraqi elections, delicate horse-trading is still required if Nouri Al-Maliki is to capitalise on the public support of 143 MPs and secure his reappointment as head of government in Baghdad
Issue 887, 15 October 2010. 
more
Strong man Maliki fights hard to keep power
Outgoing Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is doing whatever he can to retain power after his State of Law coalition was narrowly defeated in the 7 March elections. Weeks of lobbying paid off on 19 April, when the special elections court ordered a manual recount of 2.5m votes in Baghdad province.
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
Maliki and Allawi fight for post-election supremacy
The Iraq election result was impossible to call throughout the entire campaign, and remained so nearly a fortnight after the poll as the counting process placed Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s State of Law marginally ahead of former prime minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya who briefly led in the middle of the week
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
Bargains and battles mark run-up to Iraqi poll
With just under two months to go before the parliamentary elections, campaigning has yet to officially begin. But the underlying battles and bargains which will make or mar the government of the next five years are coming into the open. Whether all of Iraq’s sectarian communities can take part is still in doubt: Shia militants are being brought into the process, Sunni former Baathists are being excluded, while the Kurds are preparing for a grand bargain.
Issue 869, 15 January 2010. more
Trading places in KRG
Former federal deputy prime minister Barham Saleh took over as Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) prime minister on 29 October, three months after parliamentary elections in the region. Saleh has cut the number of ministers from 27 to 19, and dispensed with eight ministers without portfolio.
Issue 864, November 2009. 
more
An evolving Sadrist movement survives to fight another day
The cadre of politicians that loosely follow Moqtada Al-Sadr’s leadership did surprisingly well in the provincial elections, given they were largely written off as being politically splintered and militarily humbled after 18 months of pummelling by government forces, operated by their rivals and supported by the United States. The Sadrist Independent Free Trend won 41 of the 314 seats contested in Baghdad and nine Shia provinces of southern Iraq. By comparison, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) secured only 50 seats despite its extensive media campaign and lavish distribution of largesse.
Issue 849, 13 March 2009. more
Also see Issue 827, 18 April 2008. Maliki’s move against Sadr: high risk for (so far) low reward in the ‘lung of Iraq’
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Maliki to begin painful process of building lasting coalition of disparate interests
Nouri Al-Maliki’s reappointment as prime minister is imminent, but power will be fragmented between a number of parties and alignments, and progress will be slow and difficult. GSN examines the options and possible outcomes.
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Moderating Maliki: curbing the power of the prime minister
Neither the Sadrists, Kurds, Sunnis or seculars trust Maliki, and so all will have a strong interest in reducing the relative power of the prime minister. The US and Iran are likely to support this. Is such a restructuring possible and what might it look like?
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Maliki seeks breakthrough with government of everyone and no-one
As federal President Jalal Talabani asks prime minister-designate Nouri Al-Maliki to form a cabinet, there will follow 30 days of delicate negotiations. Maliki must also find at least 163 votes by 11 December in order for his government to be ratified.
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Also see Issue 888, 29 October 2010. Maliki secures endorsement of Tehran-backed foes; Issue 887, 15 October 2010. Fears of coup as impasse continues; Advantage Maliki: MPs’ endorsement edges PM closer to power; Issue 882, 30 July 2010. Government formation delayed in constitutional ‘Groundhog Day’; Issue 878, 4 June 2010. Election results are finally ratified, but bitter rivals fight for the right to form new government; Issue 875, 23 April 2010. Strong man Maliki fights hard to keep power; Issue 874, 9 April 2010. Iraq faces confusion as parties bargain for power; Balance of political parties after the March 2010 election; Issue 873, 19 March 2010. Patterns in turnout; Maliki and Allawi fight for post-election supremacy; Issue 872, 5 March 2010. Coalition bargaining follows parliamentary elections; Issue 870, 29 January 2010.
Murphy awarded Kurdish block
Another US company has signed up for exploration acreage in the Kurdistan Regional Government region, following Marathon Oil Corporation’s deal in October which made it the first publicly traded US company to operate in the KRG zone (GSN 888/10).
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Marathon gets Kurdistan PSCs
The award to Marathon Oil Corporation of interests in four Kurdistan exploration blocks is the clearest indication to date of industry confidence that Baghdad will eventually have to recognise production-sharing contracts (PSCs) made by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Iraqi Kurdistan risk management report
Independent development continues amid hard bargaining with Baghdad
Issue 887, 15 October 2010. more
Gas deals go through despite local opposition
Although Iraq has not had a fully legitimate government for more than seven months, the outgoing administration has pushed ahead with key oil and gas field licensing agreements in the face of considerable opposition.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Marathon gets Kurdistan PSCs
The award to Marathon Oil Corporation of interests in four Kurdistan exploration blocks is the clearest indication to date of industry confidence that Baghdad will eventually have to recognise production-sharing contracts (PSCs) made by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Former US diplomat compensated for secret oil deal
The London Court of International Arbitration’s award of damages to former US diplomat Peter Galbraith and a Yemeni partner comes at a sensitive time in Erbil-Baghdad relations. As Kurdish political leaders renew negotiations with Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki over their conditions for supporting his candidacy, the award is an awkward reminder of the murkier side of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s oil licensing process and its constitutionality
Issue 887, 15 October 2010. more
Search for security underpins Iran’s economic co-operation with Iraq
The confusion of a post-Saddam Iraq has presented Iran with countless opportunities to extend its tentacles of influence. GSN outlines the Islamic Republic’s strategy for keeping its rival at bay
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Sectarian violence increases
Attacks on Christians have increased in recent weeks, but church leaders have called on the country’s dwindling Christian population to remain.
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Fears of coup as impasse continues
As attempts to form a new government drag on, there is growing evidence that radical Shia militias are planning a coup, according to reports in Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat on 8 October.
Issue 887, 15 October 2010. more
The next insurgency: Baathists and Salafis pool resources to fight Iraqi government
GSN wrote about the beginnings of “the next insurgency” in Iraq in April 2009, describing meetings between Iraqi Sunni leaders and Baathist insurgents, which were characterised as a “long-term hedging of bets” by both parties ahead of the US drawdown and the assumption of full control by the Shia-led government in Baghdad. Sources within the US and Iraqi government intelligence systems believe this next insurgency is starting to unfold.
Issue 885, 17 September 2010. more
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| Perspectives: from the GSN archive |
Maliki to begin painful process of building lasting coalition of disparate interests
Nouri Al-Maliki’s reappointment as prime minister is imminent, but power will be fragmented between a number of parties and alignments, and progress will be slow and difficult. GSN examines the options and possible outcomes.
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Moderating Maliki: curbing the power of the prime minister
Neither the Sadrists, Kurds, Sunnis or seculars trust Maliki, and so all will have a strong interest in reducing the relative power of the prime minister. The US and Iran are likely to support this. Is such a restructuring possible and what might it look like?
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Maliki seeks breakthrough with government of everyone and no-one
As federal President Jalal Talabani asks prime minister-designate Nouri Al-Maliki to form a cabinet, there will follow 30 days of delicate negotiations. Maliki must also find at least 163 votes by 11 December in order for his government to be ratified.
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
UK troops set to leave in 2011
Up to 100 UK military personnel still in Iraq are to be withdrawn in May 2011, British military chiefs have announced.
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Maliki mandate
Iraq’s parliament finally met to select a speaker and allow the formation of a government, to be led by prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, on 11 November.
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Search for security underpins Iran’s economic co-operation with Iraq
The confusion of a post-Saddam Iraq has presented Iran with countless opportunities to extend its tentacles of influence. GSN outlines the Islamic Republic’s strategy for keeping its rival at bay
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Sectarian violence increases
Attacks on Christians have increased in recent weeks, but church leaders have called on the country’s dwindling Christian population to remain.
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Murphy awarded Kurdish block
Another US company has signed up for exploration acreage in the Kurdistan Regional Government region, following Marathon Oil Corporation’s deal in October which made it the first publicly traded US company to operate in the KRG zone (GSN 888/10).
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
Maliki secures endorsement of Tehran-backed foes
The campaign of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to stay in office at the head of a new administration has been given fresh impetus with the support of a number of former enemies.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Gas deals go through despite local opposition
Although Iraq has not had a fully legitimate government for more than seven months, the outgoing administration has pushed ahead with key oil and gas field licensing agreements in the face of considerable opposition.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Marathon gets Kurdistan PSCs
The award to Marathon Oil Corporation of interests in four Kurdistan exploration blocks is the clearest indication to date of industry confidence that Baghdad will eventually have to recognise production-sharing contracts (PSCs) made by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
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GSN’s publisher Cross-border Information Ltd compiled a range of information resources for the organisers of the major Invest Iraq: London 2009 event. Briefing papers and other resources compiled for the conference may be downloaded in PDF format below.
Investment Opportunites
Al-faw Port - 556kb
Brick Factory in Wasit Province - 784kb
Cement Factories - 512kb
Hotels in Najaf - 432kb
Najaf Medical City - 116kb
State Company for Drugs Industry and Medical Appliances - 220kb
Wasit Amusement Park - 280kb
Sector Reports
Sector Brief Energy & Power - 2.2Mb
Sector Brief Financial Services - 1Mb
Sector Brief Manufacturing & Industry - 224kb
Sector Brief Telecommunications - 664kb
Sector Brief Construction & Construction Materials - 5.3Mb
Sector Brief Transportation - 3.8Mb
Doing Business in Iraq
Iraq Country Brief for New Investors - 2.6Mb
Some Pointers to doing Business in Iraq - 108kb
Support for travelling to Iraq - 136kb
