Major Economic & Social Issues

In the coming days, Kirkuk will either explode into open fighting between Kurdish and Iraqi forces or spur a much-needed dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil. On October 12, the oil-rich Iraqi province of Kirkuk came very close to witnessing a major clash between two U.S.-armed militaries -- the federal Iraqi army and the forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) controversial referendum on independence has sparked fears of a disruption to Iraq’s northern oil exports amid a firestorm of opposition from the central government in Baghdad, neighboring Turkey and Iran, as well as Western powers. Global oil prices scaled two-year highs last week on concerns that the backlash against the September 2

Citizens in Baghdad envisage a united Iraq with its territorial integrity respected Iraqi women walk on the street in Erbil near banners supporting the referendum for Kurdish independence. Alaa Al Marjani / Reuters Hayat Hassan is a novelist living in Baghdad. "The outcome of Monday's vote is not in question. The Kurds of Iraq have sought independence for decades. It's als