'Kurdistan a Positive Associate in Trump’s New Policy,' Affirms Walid Phares

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a compelling and far-reaching interview with Kurdistan24, foreign policy expert, advisor, and professor Walid Phares offered an impassioned endorsement of the Kurdistan Region's evolving partnership with the United States, emphasizing that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is positioned as a key ally under what he described as a re-energized Trump doctrine for the Middle East.

"Absolutely, actually, during his first mandate, President Trump tried to make sure that the entire Middle East would be changing direction during the meeting in Riyadh, the summit of Riyadh with 52 Arab and Muslim leaders and that is what he started and after that came Abraham Accord," Phares explained. "This mandate, this presidential time is even more important … a lot of pressure on all the players in the Middle East and it would involve every actor, every ally, every special relationship and the KRG, Kurdistan in Iraq, is a preferential, a very positive associate, and partners I may say in this new policy of President Trump."

Phares praised the KRG's forward momentum and expressed strong support for Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's Washington visit. "Well, my advice exactly to Kurdistan Regional Government and Prime Minister and all officials is to continue what they are doing, despite all the problems, despite all the border issues, despite all the relationship with Baghdad," he said. "Everything could be resolved if the KRG, in partnership with the President Trump administration, continues to move forward."

Highlighting the strategic priorities of this new phase, Phares emphasized the centrality of the economy and trade. "Of course, first of all is economy and trade, and that’s why I value what the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Masrour Barzani, is doing in Washington. This is almost from country to country," he noted.

He underscored the importance of showcasing Kurdistan's unity and its protection of minorities, stating it sends a strong message to the global community. "That is free and needs more of that freedom. And it is having all the direction of the west."

Phares stressed that the U.S. public is recognizing the KRG's contributions but that more support from Washington is needed. He urged U.S. policymakers to treat Erbil as they do Gulf and European partners. "Washington needs to treat Erbil as an associate like many of its associates in the Gulf, or in Europe, or any other place in East Asia."

Reflecting on the battle against ISIS, Phares recalled the indispensable role of the Kurds and called for reciprocity from Baghdad. "We know that the Kurds have helped 100% in 2016, 17, 18, and even before that. And the U.S. supported the Kurds. It supported the Iraqi army. Our air force and assets really were the ones to break the backbone of ISIS-Daesh. So now it is time, I think, for the government of Iraq and Baghdad to return these favors."

Phares laid out a vision of deepened trade integration, not only within Iraq but regionally through instruments like the Abraham Accord. "Trade at a national level, trade at a local regional level, and maybe connect all of that with, eventually, the Abraham Accord, or with any form of common market in the region," he said.

He urged Baghdad to permit the KRG to engage in international trade, asserting, "There is nothing illegal in that. It’s about policy."

On broader regional developments, Phares noted new partnerships forming between the U.S. and economic powerhouses in the Gulf, and recommended that Iraq embrace the opportunity to present itself as a pluralistic and progressive state in line with its constitution.

Citing recent discussions with Prime Minister Barzani, Phares revealed the KRG's ambitious economic and cultural plans. "It’s not just business and money. It’s also about culture. It’s also about spirituality... Kurdistan is a region that is developing economically very quickly, because of its resources. But its people are thirsty to make sure that they can partner with the values of the United States."

He emphasized Kurdistan's emerging appeal to American tourists, including religious communities, and positioned it alongside emerging tourism hubs in Jordan and northwestern Saudi Arabia.

On security and defense, Phares expressed hope that Trump would facilitate direct coordination between the Pentagon and the KRG Ministry of Defense. "To make sure that KRG is helpful in counterterrorism, in the defense, and also in all sorts of security matters, the United States should be able to go straight to the KRG."

He drew parallels with post-WWII European integration, urging Baghdad to view Erbil not as a competitor but as a nucleus for a broader, mutually beneficial economic zone.

Highlighting the strategic geography of northern Iraq, Phares emphasized, "Northern Iraq is the center of the Middle East, if you look at the map." He credited the KRG for maintaining stability and acting as a protector of minorities, asserting that it should be a key partner in the Abraham Accord framework.

He praised Erbil's recent religious freedom conference as evidence of a "political, cultural, spiritual renaissance" and urged the U.S. to place KRG among its "very special partners."

As a final note, Phares encouraged institutional partnerships, including inter-parliamentary and university-to-university ties, along with a growing people-to-people diplomacy that could solidify a lasting bond between the Kurdish and American people.

"Just imagine when there will be movies being shot in Kurdistan about the Middle East and about the relationship with America... The real relationship are not just money-to-money," Phares concluded, championing a deep cultural affinity that could elevate the U.S.-KRG relationship to the level of longstanding allies such as France, Britain, and Israel.