Iraq’s domestic political machinations turned violent over the past week, and while the fighting has for now stopped, it showcased the perilous state of the country. Iraq’s security forces and government apparatus proved helpless in the face of the upheaval, and potential investors will have taken note. Even if oil operations were ultimately unaffected, ExxonMobil is unlikely to be regretting its decision to quit Iraq (MEES, 12 August).