'Kurdistan Plays a Huge Role in Energy Security,' McRae Tells Kurdistan24

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Isabelle McRae, a consultant from the Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics, has hailed Kurdistan's growing importance in U.S. foreign policy and regional energy security, asserting that the Kurdistan Region is uniquely positioned to benefit from strategic American investment and shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. In a detailed interview with Kurdistan24 on Thursday, McRae emphasized that the recent $110 billion oil and gas agreements signed in Washington mark a turning point.

"Kurdistan... plays a huge role in energy security," McRae said. "When we look at the United States' perception of an energy security framework... the longstanding alliance it has had with the Republic of Iraq and with the Kurdistan Regional Government is key."

She interpreted the new energy deals as part of a broader U.S. strategic realignment. "We are seeing a decrease in international military deployments... replaced by strategic investments in energy security around the world with American partners," she noted. "Kurdistan fits into that... as part of larger plans of the Trump administration."

According to McRae, Kurdistan's history of cooperation with U.S. military and security frameworks, including its role in supporting the Peshmerga and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), remains central to U.S. policy planning. "That history is still very important to American decision makers."

Amid recent shifts in regional dynamics—including the potential reintegration of the SDF in Syria’s future security architecture and the PKK's announcement for disarmament—McRae sees the KRG in an "advantageous position to reassert its role both in energy security in the region and as the semi-autonomous center of the Kurdish people."

She underscored that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s recent meetings in the U.S. reflect "a significant push towards supporting American business in the region," adding that the ongoing construction of the new U.S. consulate in Erbil is "a huge symbol of U.S. interests in the region."

"It shows that there is great trust that the KRG is a stable place to operate... a center point in the larger region," McRae said.

Regarding what the U.S. stands to gain, she pointed to Kurdistan’s role in stabilizing the region amid growing tensions with Iran, Israel, and Gaza. "Having a strong, stable, and historic partner in the region... is of national security importance."

McRae also highlighted the transactional nature of the new Trump administration's foreign policy: "There really needs to be gains—whether security gains or economic gains—out of those partnerships... Beyond just U.S. military assistance."

She called on the U.S. to "put your money where your mouth is" by translating political goodwill into tangible financial support for Kurdistan’s economic and constitutional reforms.

When Baghdad declared the new energy agreements “null and void,” McRae found it telling that U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a leading figure in the Foreign Affairs Committee, responded with clear support for the agreements and U.S. recognition of a differentiated relationship with Kurdistan. "There’s a strong stance being taken here vis-à-vis Baghdad," she noted, calling for U.S. diplomacy to maintain balance between Baghdad and Erbil.

McRae urged Kurdistan to leverage the current moment: "This historic moment... is a special position of being a semi-autonomous region with constitutional rights... that can be leveraged to address shortfalls in international investment."

On energy autonomy, she stressed the need for Kurdistan to innovate and diversify, particularly in renewables and green technology. "If there is both financing and interest... there certainly could be investors."

Though she clarified that she is not an expert in Kurdish politics, McRae praised the KRG’s recent investments in agriculture, telecommunications, and infrastructure, noting her positive impressions from a visit to Kurdistan last November.

Finally, McRae called for greater bipartisan engagement in U.S. politics. "Prime Minister Barzani... met with a lot of Republican congresspeople... I would be really curious to see if there might be opportunity to develop bipartisan support in the U.S. for these partnerships."

In her closing thoughts, McRae emphasized the durability of U.S.-Kurdistan ties: "There is a recognition of these long-term strategic ties... and this may be a moment to strengthen them further."