After a successful first summer, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity is eying help from abroad to show the US it is acting to ease its dependence on imports from Iran. Absence such progress, the US threatens to end the waivers permitting Iraq to import Iranian gas and electricity without incurring sanctions.

It’s a small step towards ending chronic power shortages in what qualifies as the most dysfunctional electricity sector in the Middle East. (CONTINUED - 572 WORDS)