Iraq’s Resumption of Kurdish Oil Exports Masks Deeper Sovereignty Struggles and Washington’s Strategic Stakes

On Saturday, Iraq will restart oil exports from its northern Kurdish region via Turkey's Ceyhan port after a halt exceeding two years. At first glance, this move seems like a pragmatic step toward stabilizing energy flows and boosting revenue for Baghdad and Erbil. However, beneath the surface lies the unresolved tension over national sovereignty that continues to challenge Iraq’s unity and America’s strategic objectives in the Middle East. The shutdown began in early 2023 when an international arbitration ruling sided with Iraq, halting independent Kurdish oil exports deemed illegal by Baghdad. Since then, multiple failed negotiations underscored persistent disagreements about...