Sadrist block pushes oil to the people

The party led by its spiritual leader cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is calling for a cut of Iraq’s oil sales to be distributed to the country’s needy – a populist push in the democratic country who’s neighborhood, from Jordan to North Africa, is slowly being politically cleansed of leaders accused of not catering to the poor’s needs.
A month and a half into 2011, Iraq’s budget has been stalled by political conflict among domestic factions over oil spending and perceived cuts to social programs.
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Following a meeting in Najaf, Iraq on Jan. 14, 2011, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani salutes as he is escorted by the radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr (second from left), whose populist political bloc is proposing direct redistribution of a portion of Iraq’s oil revenue to the poor. (QASSEM ZEIN/AFP/Getty Images)
By Ben Lando of Iraq Oil Report
Published February 9, 2011
The party led by its spiritual leader cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is calling for a cut of Iraq’s oil sales to be distributed to the country’s needy – a populist push in the democratic country who’s neighborhood, from Jordan to North Africa, is slowly being politically cleansed of leaders accused of not catering to the poor’s needs.

A month and a half into 2011, Iraq’s budget has been stalled by political conflict among domestic factions over oil spending and perceived cuts to social programs.

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Iraqiya nets Parliament oil committee leadership

As Iraq’s new Parliament prepares for a season of legislation that could reverberate through the country’s ethno-sectarian rifts, key committee leadership posts have been handed out to blocs from across the country’s political spectrum.
Former oil man Adnan al-Janabi, loyal to ex-Prime Minster Ayad Allawi, has been named chairman of the Iraqi Parliament’s Oil and Energy Committee. In exchange, Allawi’s Iraqiya party has yielded leadership of the Legal Affairs Committee to Khalid Shwan…


Iraqi Parliament members raising their hands to vote for the new Iraqi cabinet formed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on December 21, 2010 in Baghdad, Iraq. The new government was unanimously approved, ending nine months of deadlock. (Photo by Iraqi Prime Minister Office via Getty Images)
By Ben Lando of Iraq Oil Report
Published February 10, 2011
As Iraq’s new Parliament prepares for a season of legislation that could reverberate through the country’s ethno-sectarian rifts, key committee leadership posts have been handed out to blocs from across the country’s political spectrum.

Former oil man Adnan al-Janabi, loyal to ex-Prime Minster Ayad Allawi, has been named chairman of the Iraqi Parliament’s Oil and Energy Committee. In exchange, Allawi’s Iraqiya party has yielded leadership of the Legal Affairs Committee to Khalid Shwan…


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Are You Part of the Solution?


09 February 2011.


Over the past week, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared that he will take a 50% cut in salary, and will not stand for a third term of office; the general consensus is that this is an attempt to head off any possible popular uprising against his rule.


As we pointed out last week, Iraq, being a democracy, is in a different situation to its neighbours, and indeed many have speculated that the existence of a democratic Iraq has encouraged the protestors in other countries.



But as our security expert John Drake explains, the Iraqi population still has much to be discontented about, and international investors can be part of the solution to their many problems.



This week, we'd also like to welcome Ronald Verdonk to our team of Expert Bloggers. Ronald has extensive experience in the agriculture sector, including placements in a wide range of developing economies. With food supply and pricing becoming a sensitive issue, not just in Iraq but worldwide, we look forward to reading his views on the country's ability to feed itself.



Will your business be part of the solution in Iraq? If so, Upper Quartile and AAIB are the perfect team to guide you. For more information please contact Gavin Jones or Adrian Shaw.