PM Barzani’s U.S. Visit Underscores Kurdistan’s Strategic Value, Says U.S. Expert
“This is an important visit,” Thomas said, referring to Prime Minister Barzani’s official trip to Washington. “There are shared objectives between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, especially regarding energy cooperation and regional stability.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — A U.S. foreign policy expert has emphasized the strength of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), underscoring the strategic importance of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s current visit to Washington, D.C., as a significant opportunity to deepen U.S.-Kurdistan ties.
On Sunday, Justin Thomas, a noted American foreign policy analyst, told Kurdistan24 that the United States and the Kurdistan Region share several common goals and maintain a uniquely aligned partnership in the region. He highlighted that the visit comes at a critical time when both sides are navigating sensitive geopolitical and energy-related challenges.
“This is an important visit,” Thomas said, referring to Prime Minister Barzani’s official trip to Washington. “There are shared objectives between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, especially regarding energy cooperation and regional stability. We are closely watching the discussions on how Kurdish oil exports can be resumed in a mutually beneficial framework.”
Thomas also praised the Kurdistan Regional Government as a “strong and capable administration,” stating that the Region remains a stabilizing factor in the Middle East. “The U.S. recognizes the pivotal role that Kurdistan plays in the region’s balance of power,” he added.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani arrived in Washington at the head of a high-level KRG delegation following an official invitation from the U.S. government. The visit marks an important milestone in U.S.-Kurdistan relations, as Barzani is scheduled to meet with top American officials from both the executive branch and Congress.
According to the KRG, the Prime Minister will hold a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening political, economic, and security ties. Additionally, Barzani will engage with U.S. investors and entrepreneurs to promote trade and economic cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.
The visit comes at a time when the Kurdistan Region seeks to navigate complex political and economic pressures, including stalled oil exports due to ongoing disputes with Iraq's federal government and the need for greater international investment.
Since 2003, the Kurdistan Region has maintained a special relationship with the United States, rooted in shared values, a common fight against ISIS, and long-standing diplomatic engagement. The U.S. has continued to view the Region as a key partner in promoting peace, democracy, and economic development in Iraq and the wider Middle East.
As discussions in Washington unfold, observers see the visit as an opportunity to reinvigorate U.S. support for the Kurdistan Region at a time of growing regional uncertainty.
