Iraq’s pipeline dilemma

The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security

Iraq’s vast hydrocarbon resources position it as a key player in global energy markets, but its ability to effectively utilise its pipeline infrastructure remains constrained. Iraq’s midstream landscape, seen through an energy policy and geopolitical lens, is defined by governance fragmentation, sectarian political structures and weak strategic planning that have significantly hindered development. Without institutional reform and a unified energy strategy, Iraq’s energy potential will remain underutilised. Energy infrastructure, particularly pipelines, plays a crucial role in shaping both national economies and geopolitical relations. Iraq, endowed with one of the world’s largest oil reserv