Iraq

BMI View: High oil prices granted a lifeline to the Iraqi economy, but reduced receipts will remove some of the cushioning effect. Significant production increases are off the agenda... 2007-02-21

The heightened security situation, backed up by more than 21,500 additional US troops, has altered the political balance in Baghdad. Mahdi militiamen have stood down their arms temporarily,... 2007-02-21

BMI View: The government has managed to get approval for US$41bn in expenditure, promising to target much of the new outlays at productive sectors of the economy. These ambitions... 2007-02-21

BMI View: Embattled by inflationary pressures, the Iraqi monetary authorities are seeking to bolster confidence in the currency and tweak interest rates where necessary. Yet the Central... 2007-02-20

BMI View: With well over a million Iraqis having taken refuge in neighbouring countries since the outbreak of the war, and more to come in all likelihood, there are real risks to... 2007-02-08

The announcement of a 21,500 boost to US troop levels in Iraq is not likely sufficient to halt sectarian strife in Baghdad, let alone countrywide. Moreover, the escalation has been... 2007-02-02

The completion of a draft oil law by a national Oil Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, has little chance of winning widespread acceptance and ultimate implementation,... 2007-01-18

According to our current forecasts, the value of Iraq's oil exports should decline next year to US$27.73bn, down from US$28.07bn in oil exports for this year, given that the average... 2006-11-27

The death sentence handed down on Iraq's former president Saddam Hussein on 5 November may bring comfort to many Iraqis who suffered under Baathist rule, but it is unlikely to have... 2006-11-27

BMI view: With few non-conventional monetary policy instruments at its disposal, Iraq is failing to contain inflation. Though planned subsidy reductions and fuel import liberalisation... 2006-11-16