Erin Banco

About the Author

Erin Banco is an acclaimed investigative journalist with a keen focus on international affairs, energy politics, and the intricate web of global economics. Drawing from her extensive experience reporting from conflict zones and high-stakes negotiations, she uncovers the hidden machinations behind resource exploitation and geopolitical maneuvering. Her debut book, Pipe Dreams: The Plundering of Iraq’s Oil Wealth, meticulously documents the post-war scramble for Iraq's vast oil reserves, revealing how corruption, foreign interests, and policy failures have undermined the nation's recovery. Banco's work has appeared in leading publications such as Foreign Policy and The Atlantic, where her incisive analysis has earned her recognition for illuminating the human and economic costs of unchecked ambition. A graduate of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, she continues to advocate for transparency in global resource management through her writing and reporting.