Eli Gold: Kurdistan’s Energy Deals Reinforce Its Role as America’s Primary Partner in the Middle East

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Eli M. Gold, President of the Washington-based Gold Institute for International Strategy, said that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s current visit to Washington marks a decisive moment for U.S.–Kurdistan relations, particularly as energy agreements signed in the American capital signal a shift in regional policy and highlight Erbil’s role in the broader architecture of U.S. Middle East strategy.

“President Trump and his foreign policy is one that's based around a mutual benefit. And he, as a businessman, he finds the best way of creating a relationship between countries is through economic development,” Gold told Kurdistan24.

Energy Deals Mark a Pivotal Moment in U.S. Middle East Policy

Referring to the energy contracts signed between the Kurdistan Region and U.S. companies, Gold emphasized the strategic relevance of these agreements under the Trump administration’s diplomacy-through-economy approach.

“The relationship that Kurdistan and the contracts that Kurdistan is going into with these energy companies, U.S. energy companies, is at a pivotal moment in U.S. Mideast policy. And growing the relationship between the United States and Kurdistan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq is most important in the larger picture of U.S. Mideast policy.”

“Doing this through economic development, as we take a look, President Trump just came back from the Middle East, where he secured trillions of dollars building the relationship between those countries.”

“This is only another or an addition to the Trump foreign policy and something that will only enhance the relationship further as we look to expand the relationship between Erbil and Washington.”

Washington Signals Baghdad: Relationship with Erbil Will Grow

Gold noted that the current U.S. administration is sending a clear message to Baghdad regarding the depth and durability of its ties with the Kurdistan Region.

“Well, I think the Secretary of State, Secretary Rubio, and this administration is making it clear to Baghdad that the relationship with Kurdistan is strong and is only going to get stronger. It is incumbent upon Baghdad, it's important for Baghdad to understand that Kurdistan plays a key role in the U.S.-Iraq policy. This is something that the previous administrations have been hesitant to do. They talked about it, but they were hesitant to act on it.”

“This administration, I believe, seeks to expand the relationship with Erbil and therefore it's incumbent upon Prime Minister Zidani to really understand that and shift his policy to allow for this relationship.”

Iranian Influence in Baghdad Undermines Progress

Addressing the geopolitical tensions that shape Erbil–Baghdad relations, Gold warned of Tehran’s interference in Iraqi decision-making.

“Well, there's no question about it that there is great influence. There's influence not only within Baghdad, but from outside of Baghdad. There's no question that there's a great Iranian influence inside Baghdad, which hurts the relationship with Erbil.”

“And this is something that the current administration, the Trump administration, is going to have to work on. It's going to have to be strong with Baghdad to state that there is currently a constitution, Erbil has the right to do this.”

“And if they are unwilling to permit this, then that's something that Washington is going to have to take up with, or Baghdad is going to have to take up with Washington.”

Kurdistan Poised for Greater Autonomy and Independence

Gold argued that the Trump administration's support for Erbil is poised to deepen, and Barzani’s presence in Washington arrives at a strategic inflection point.

“I believe that the support that the Trump administration has for Erbil is going to expand. And that's why it's so important that the prime minister is here right now. This is a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran policy. This is a pivotal moment in U.S. Mideast policy. And it is a pivotal opportunity for Kurdistan to play that role.”

“As we've seen, as I mentioned before, the president puts a great weight on using the economic development as a method with which to pursue foreign policy. And this is, I believe that this is an excellent avenue with which to firmly provide our message to Baghdad and Iran.”

Kurdistan’s Energy Returns to the Global Stage

The energy forum in Washington, Gold said, has not only elevated Kurdistan’s role in global energy discussions but also sent a message of resilience and revival to the international community.

“Over the past year plus, more than a year, Baghdad has controlled Kurdistan's energy in a much larger way than it has in the past. And such an energy conference here in Washington, an energy forum here in Washington, really puts this relationship on the front burner.”

“But it also tells the world the importance of Kurdistan's energy. Not just a relationship, not just a conflict between Erbil and Baghdad, not just a relationship between Washington and Erbil, but this lets the world know that Kurdistan's energy sector is back and will pursue further development.”

A Strategic Case for Kurdish Independence

Gold reaffirmed his long-standing support for Kurdish independence and asserted that the path toward autonomy aligns with U.S. strategic interests in the region.

“Since the 2017 referendum, I have long supported the Kurdish independence, as have many in the United States.”

“Where this goes, only God knows. However, I believe that this is definitely a step in the right direction. Kurdistan seeks, without a doubt, the president, the prime minister, and the people of Kurdistan certainly seek their own autonomy and their ability to grow and to create a larger economy and a greater country for themselves.”

“I think that the president's message was to Washington not a threat, but rather a message that we are, that we, meaning that Kurdistan is ready for autonomy, ready for its independence, and whatever needs to be done to build that relationship to get to that point is, you're ready to do.”

“Washington, I believe, is also ready for Kurdish independence. There are many within the administration that are pursuing that. There are many within the administration that would like to see President Trump call for Kurdish independence away from Baghdad and for your own autonomy. And I think that this is only the first step. President Barzani's message is only the first step towards that goal.”

Kurdistan: The Frontline of Regional Stability

Concluding his remarks, Gold positioned Kurdistan as a critical regional buffer in the face of destabilizing threats, underscoring the strategic logic for its independence.

“Independent Kurdistan is important for many reasons. Aside from the independence and the security of the people of Kurdistan, it is important regionally.”

“As we look at the ever-growing threat from Iran, as we look at other groups that look to destabilize the region, Kurdistan is the buffer, it's the front line of defense.”

“And this is something that President Trump looks for. He looks for the opportunity for the regional players to play the front line of defense while the United States plays a supporting role. And I believe that this is part of the reason, only part of the reason, why President Trump would encourage an independent Kurdistan.”