‘KRG Playing It Smart’: U.S. Diplomat Says Kurdish Move on Energy Signals Strategic Nationalism

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ambassador John B. Craig, Senior Fellow at the Transatlantic Leadership Network, affirmed in an interview with Kurdistan24 on Friday that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is navigating the regional geopolitical landscape with strategic finesse. Speaking candidly, Craig described the KRG as a trusted U.S. ally and lauded its nationalist approach to energy development as both pragmatic and forward-looking.

"Yes. I think the KRG has played its role very skillfully," said Craig. "It certainly is viewed as a friend of the United States. And I know there is good collaboration between the United States and the KRG."

While describing the current U.S.-KRG relationship as "neutral," Craig emphasized that the primary regional concern for Washington remains the presence of Iranian-backed militias within Iraq. "That is an issue that we have been trying to solve for quite some time," he said, noting the ongoing uncertainty caused by Iran’s shifting role in the region. "We know that Iran has been weakened significantly... We don't understand how that's going to affect its relationship with other states in the region, including Iraq."

Addressing the longstanding disputes over oil and gas production in Iraq, Craig emphasized the significance of recent developments. "The constitution provides for an equal share of those resources, and that has been an issue of controversy since the very beginning," he explained. "I believe that the situation is changing... These two agreements are extremely important in the sense that the KRG is exerting its independence, but it's making clear that it's doing so in the context of sharing these resources with the center and the south of Iraq."

Craig characterized the KRG’s posture as "starting out in a very nationalist position," describing it as a "very good place to be."

Regarding international sentiment, Craig noted that the KRG enjoys considerable goodwill in Europe and the United States. He advised caution, however, until the broader consequences of Iran’s regional weakening become clearer. "The KRG is playing this situation exactly correctly by being a nationalist... to try to help the whole of Iraq."

On Baghdad’s criticism of the recent energy agreements, Craig was unequivocal: "The central government in Baghdad has refused to recognize deals like this from the very beginning... because it takes away from the sovereignty of the government of the whole government of Iraq." He framed the backlash as part of a persistent political dynamic dating back to the post-2003 constitutional order.

"It’s up to the KRG and the government of Baghdad to come to some understanding," he said, adding that the agreements are ultimately "a good economic move" for both parties. He separated the political tension from the economic rationale, which he insisted remains sound.

Craig dismissed the notion that these developments fundamentally alter U.S.-KRG relations. "This is nothing we haven’t dealt [with]... It’s the same thing that we have dealt with before. It’s a political issue. It’s not really an economic issue."

He suggested that the KRG’s actions could be seen as a strategic test of Iran’s current weakness. "The KRG is... looking to the future and seeing the weakness of Iran at this current time, assuming that Iran... is driving the central government in Baghdad to object to this."

With international oil companies still on the ground and willing to invest, Craig interpreted recent moves as encouraging. "The fact that they're willing now to go ahead and put investment dollars into the situation is a very good sign."

He also highlighted the diplomatic wisdom behind Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s decision to visit Washington. "It's a very smart move for the prime minister to go to Washington and to meet with the secretary of energy. Clearly, the Secretary of Energy knows what he's doing. He’s not going to be positive about these two agreements if it doesn’t match with the foreign policy of the United States."

Craig concluded by affirming that current developments represent a continuation, not a departure, in U.S.-KRG relations. "The United States and the KRG have been cooperating for a long time... It's a continuation, a reaffirmation of U.S. and KRG good relations."