'The Timing Cannot Be Any Better,' Qanbar Backs U.S. Investment in Kurdistan

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Entifadh Qanbar, President of the Kurdish Protection Action Committee, described Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s recent U.S. visit and the signing of two multibillion-dollar gas contracts as a "strategic, very important historical" development, with long-term consequences for both Kurdistan and the United States.

Speaking to Kurdistan24 on Friday, Qanbar underscored the monumental scale of the agreements: "The signing of two, gigantic, gas contracts, valued hundred and $10,000,000,000 is a huge step, and the timing cannot be any better."

He linked the initiative directly to President Donald Trump’s broader Middle East investment policy. "As we saw [in] President Trump's trip to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, he brought $3,000,000,000,000 of investment, and this step is very much welcomed," Qanbar stated. He emphasized that Dr. Massad Boulos, Trump’s special adviser on the Middle East and Africa, expressed strong support for the Kurdistan deal, calling it a welcome step.

Qanbar praised the growing strategic ties, noting Prime Minister Barzani’s words that Kurdistan enjoys "excellent relation[s] with the United States" with room for further enhancement. "There is a love between the American people and the Kurdish people... not only in gas... but also in all types of minerals and wealth in Kurdistan, which will strengthen the American Kurdish relationship," he added.

Highlighting the durability of the investment, Qanbar said, "Even if President Trump has changed or his term finished, the investments will continue. That's why I call it a strategic step."

He affirmed that the projects will endure for generations and attract more American companies: "It’s a win-win situation... Iraq also will benefit. The region will benefit."

Qanbar also projected the model outward: "This model... will be copied to the rest of the Middle East... to Syria... to Lebanon," calling for similar reconstruction and investment in neighboring nations. He cited 24-hour electricity in Kurdistan as a potential outcome.

On legality, Qanbar strongly defended the contracts' constitutional basis, citing post-2005 clauses and omissions in the federal government’s authority: "This is a witch-hunt from Baghdad... for chauvinistic reasons and hatred towards the Kurdish people, unfortunately."

Referencing recent remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Qanbar pointed to a clear strategic alignment: "The linchpin of the U.S. policy is Kurdistan autonomy... [The Kurds] are the first allies of the United States in Iraq, and they will be treated so."

Qanbar stressed that President Trump’s vision is anchored in three principles: Peace, Partnership, and Prosperity. "Each ‘P’ contributes to [the] other. Peace and prosperity come from partnership with the United States," he asserted, thanking the Kurdish leadership for embracing this approach.

"Every American congressman, senator... said the Kurds are the best partners... in fighting terrorism," he continued, emphasizing the Peshmerga's role and advocating that partnership extend beyond security to economics and diplomacy.

Qanbar noted, "The United States does not need to protect Kurdistan. Kurdistan can protect itself... Kurdistan needs weapons... anti-aircraft and anti-drones and anti-missiles... The Kurds are able to control the area and defend themselves."

He proposed differentiated U.S. policy toward Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq: "You have to have one Iraq, maybe... but two policies." He compared this to U.S. policy on China and Taiwan.

Qanbar affirmed that under Trump, the Kurdish role will expand: "The role of [PM] Masrour Barzani and President Masoud Barzani will be bigger than Kurdistan... to succeed peace and prosperity in the Middle East."

He credited President Masoud Barzani's unique regional diplomacy: "No one in the Middle East has all these relations... except President Masoud Barzani."

Qanbar reiterated that peace and prosperity must be built on economic ties: "Jobs, more jobs, income... improving relations with all neighbors... These are advantageous for the Kurdish people."

He concluded by affirming Kurdistan's new trajectory: "Kurdistan was falling apart after Da'esh... Now Kurdistan has a very bright future... The signing of these two major gas contracts is only the beginning... Within less than two years, there will be enough production of gas to cover not only Kurdistan, [but] all Iraq."