Iraq's Oil Ministry recently announced that the country is producing 3.328 million barrels of oil a day, putting it ahead of Iran as the second most productive oil country in OPEC.
A panel of oil industry experts who specialize on developments in the Persian Gulf described how internal political factors, including disputes between the oil-rich Kurdish north and Baghdad, are keeping Iraq from becoming even more productive. The panelists also spoke about tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs hosted the discussion with Jean-Francois Seznec, Managing Director, The Lafayette Group; Denise Natali, Minerva Chair, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University; and Matthew Amitrano, State Department Foriegn Affairs Officer, Office of Iraqi Affairs.
Ambassador Edward "Skip" Gnehm, Director, Middle East Policy Forum, introduced the speakers and moderated the question and answer session that followed.