'The U.S. Will Forge a Path Forward with Kurdistan,' Wallace Tells Kurdistan24

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a powerful and wide-ranging interview with Kurdistan24 on Friday, David Wallace, President of the U.S.-based Fair Energy Foundation, delivered a firm message of support for the Kurdistan Region and called on Baghdad to sever Iranian influence if it hopes to advance its future alongside the United States.

Wallace emphasized that the time has come for action, not just rhetoric, and urged a robust realignment in Iraq's internal politics and regional orientation.

"Well, that's a big question, and it deserves a complete answer," Wallace began. "The United States stands with allies. It stands with our friends. We have President Trump, who's exercised his might in the fight against the Houthis, which is strictly a proxy surrogate, specifically for Iran. We are now in negotiations with Iran; regarding Kurdistan, we see this opportunity for Kurdistan to leap forward with its energy production."

Wallace criticized the influence of Tehran over Baghdad, warning that Iraq risks collapsing further unless it decisively distances itself from what he called "illegitimate agencies" promoting the Iranian model. "It is high time and has been too long that the United States has seen Iraq falter under the pressure of Iran, the coercion of Iran... Baghdad needs to clean house and remove those nefarious elements of Iran and bring under control the popular mobilization forces."

He underscored that the future of Kurdistan and Iraq is interconnected, but both must chart a new path. "This is a pivotal moment in history for Iraq and for the Middle East. Iraq can either come along with the Gulf states, or it can continue to falter with the consequences that we've seen in Yemen."

Wallace offered a constitutional solution rooted in Iraq's own legal framework. "We have to go and see Iraq move forward with the United States. It's so important, and how we do that is through constitutional framework... Article 65 for the Federation Council to be erected and to be substantial as an equal in the parliament."

He praised the significance of ongoing high-level meetings in Washington, noting they "will forge the future between the United States and the people within Erbil" and could profoundly influence broader U.S.-Iraq relations.

Naming U.S. leaders such as President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio as champions of Kurdistan, Wallace said: "We have always seen Kurdistan as our... most important aspect... Kurdistan has stood with the United States, regardless of the administration."

He went on to sharply criticize Baghdad's reaction to Kurdistan's growing strength. "The reaction by Baghdad is unrealistic, and it's detrimental... it's cutting off your nose to spite your face," he said. He blamed "nefarious forces" that he believes are pressuring Baghdad's leadership.

Addressing Iraq's infrastructure failures, Wallace expressed deep frustration. "We have blackouts, we have brownouts... How can you have productivity if a business has to shut down because you don't have electricity?" He lamented 15 years of missed reconstruction opportunities and pointed to unused flare gas as symbolic of Iraq's systemic dysfunction.

Wallace presented Kurdistan’s federal aspirations as both legitimate and stabilizing. "No state in the United States has ever wanted to leave because of the rights the states possess... it's time to erect a three-member Senate from each and every province," he said, adding that he is personally willing to travel to Iraq to advise both Erbil and Baghdad on establishing the Federation Council.

Linking the U.S.-Kurdistan relationship to broader regional peace efforts, Wallace described Kurdistan as a catalyst for progress. "When Kurdistan flourishes, the United States' interests flourish... it pushes forth... a great opportunity for an expansion of the Abraham Accords."

He emphasized that peace and coexistence—across all identities—are necessary for a functioning Iraq. "In the state of war, there is no tranquility, there is no economy, there is only chaos and destruction."

On the meetings currently taking place in Washington, Wallace was unequivocal: "These meetings here in Washington... must continue, and then action. You can't just have words, you have to have action, including contracts, including U.S. position in that region, so that you are not undermined, you are not humiliated, you are not coerced."

He closed with a stark warning to Baghdad: "Iran is on its way out, as it stands currently. Iraq can move forward when they break the ties with Iran. Otherwise, those consequences, especially against the popular mobilization forward forces, are going to be hell to pay. So, we have to see security within Iraq."

Wallace's statements underscore a deepening alignment between U.S. energy interests, security policy, and support for the Kurdistan Region—potentially setting the stage for a significant transformation in Iraq’s future political and economic trajectory.