Rhode: Republicans likely to support Kurdish state

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – An American Middle East specialist and former Pentagon analyst, Harold Rhode, told Kurdistan24 on Thursday that he is convinced that the Republicans more than Democrats would welcome an independent Kurdish state.

“I assume that Mr. Trump would be much better than Ms. Hillary Clinton for those who support America, including the Kurds,” Rhode said.

Naming Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, the three Republican frontrunners vying for the Presidency of the United States later this year, Rhode contended that Republican candidates are more concerned about American allies including Kurdish people, the overwhelming majority of whom are pro-American.

He stressed the necessity to support Kurds on their path towards independence. “There are maybe 40 million Kurds in the world. Why don’t they have their own country?" Rhode asked.

He also criticized President Barak Obama for his foreign policy insisting that Kurds remain part of a united Iraq, “Mr. Obama and his advisors keep telling the Kurds: don’t think like Kurds, think like Iraqis. That cannot work. Kurds are Kurds."

He described the Obama administration as one that has been difficult for many Americans, referring to it as "seven and a half years of suffering."

Rhode emphasized that Donald Trump and the other Republicans want to “restore American greatness” which includes helping and remaining loyal to America's allies. “We have not been a faithful ally; we have been a harmless enemy," he said.

He also stressed that the current borders of the Middle East do not exist anymore and that the reality on the ground indicates that Kurdistan Region is now a safe area in the wider region as many people have taken refuge there to provide for a better life.

1.8 million refugees are Internationally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently live in the Region.

Reporting by Gulala Khaled
Editing by Benjamin Kweskin and Ava Homa