At the 2025 Erbil Forum, David Schenker discussed Trump’s policies regarding Iraq, asserting that they formed part of a broader strategy against Iran. He noted the positive impact of US support on the Kurdistan Region and confirmed ongoing financial assistance for the Peshmerga forces. Schenker’s comments underscored the complexities of US involvement in Iraq amid its relations with Iran.
At the recent 2025 Erbil Forum, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, outlined President Donald Trump’s approach toward Iraq. Schenker remarked that Iraq was included in Trump’s maximum pressure campaign aimed at Iran. He emphasized that this strategic policy has had positive ramifications for the Kurdistan Region, highlighting ongoing US support and the presence of American troops in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Schenker also reiterated the commitment of the US to sustain its annual funding of $20 million for the Peshmerga forces, which plays a pivotal role in regional security. He conveyed that while Trump’s attentiveness to Iraq may have been limited, the country was nonetheless perceived as integral to his broader strategy against Tehran. Schenker’s observations shed light on the complexities of US foreign policy in the context of Iraq and its relations with Iran.
In summary, David Schenker elucidated that President Trump’s policies effectively integrated Iraq into a wider strategy of pressure against Iran, benefiting the Kurdistan Region through ongoing American support. The commitment to financial assistance for the Peshmerga forces underlines the US’s vested interest in Iraqi stability and security. Schenker’s insights highlight the interplay between US foreign policy goals and regional dynamics.
Original Source: shafaq.com
