As Iraqi exports from the southern coast reach a monthly record high and the government is trying to lure in new investment on the border with Iran, all is certainly not well—and oil-rich Kirkuk in the north is becoming a violent flashpoint. On the surface, things are looking up for Iraq. It never wanted to join an output freeze, and in April it posted a record level of oil exports, adding further downward pressure to oil prices. According to data provided by Reuters , Iraq’s averaged 3.43 million barrels of oil per day from its south in the first 24 days of April. In November last year, it managed 3.37 million bpd. Last year, Iraq was the fastest growing oil supplier in OPEC, and this year it is likely to retain that title, even if growth is a bit slower, hindered by supermajor spending cuts and the ongoing conflict […]