By Payraw Anwar
The relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) dates back to the mid-20th century, particularly during the Kurdish liberation movement. This relationship became more formalized in 1991, when the United States played a leading role in providing humanitarian assistance to Kurds fleeing the Ba’ath regime during a mass exodus. Following this, the U.S. supported the establishment of the Kurdistan Region as a de facto autonomous region under the protection of United Nations Security Council resolutions including 688 and other resolutions.
In 2003, with the fall of the Ba’ath regime by the U.S.-led coalition, Kurdish–American cooperation deepened. The U.S. played a pivotal role in facilitating the drafting of Iraq’s permanent constitution in 2005, which officially recognized the Kurdistan Region as a de jure federal entity for the first time in Iraq’s history.
In another stage, during the emergence of ISIS and its occupation of Mosul, the U.S. once again extended significant military and logistical support to both the Iraqi government and the KRI. This included the provision of weapons, intelligence, airstrikes against ISIS targets, and training for Kurdish and Iraqi military forces. The U.S. also provided civil society support and humanitarian aid throughout the region to develop local NGOs and Kurdish society.
Currently, U.S.–KRI relations have entered a new phase. A recent agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and several U.S. oil companies marks a deepening of economic ties. This reflects the U.S. view of the KRG as a strategic partner in the Middle East. Furthermore, the planned opening of a U.S. consulate in Erbil—the largest American consulate in the region—underscores the evolving depth of bilateral relations.
This new stage is built on two key strategic principles:
1. Security and Stability: The KRI is seen as a stabilizing force not only within Iraq but across the broader region. The signing of oil agreements with the KRG demonstrates its importance in maintaining energy security and regional equilibrium.
2. Support for Federalism in Iraq: The United States diplomatically supports the KRG as a means of reinforcing Iraq’s federal system. U.S. officials frequently emphasize their commitment to “a strong Iraq with a strong Kurdistan Region,” highlighting the importance of power-sharing, partnership, and federal balance in the post-Ba’ath political order.
Finally, the increased engagement between Kurdish and American officials—including meetings with senior U.S. figures such as the Secretary of State—marks a significant diplomatic shift. In international relations, it is rare for a non-sovereign region like the KRI to enjoy such direct, multifaceted engagement with a global power like the United States. This trend demonstrates the growing geopolitical, strategic, and security importance of the KRI in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East.