David Schenker stated that President Trump associated Iraq with his maximum pressure campaign against Iran. He highlighted the strategic benefits for the Kurdistan Region, including US troop presence and funding for the Peshmerga forces, noting that Iraq was not a primary focus for Trump but part of a broader strategy.
On Thursday, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, stated that President Donald Trump integrated Iraq into his broader maximum pressure campaign targeting Iran. During his remarks at the Erbil Forum, Schenker emphasized that US policy towards the Kurdistan Region has resulted in significant benefits, including ongoing American support and the presence of US troops within Iraqi Kurdistan.
Schenker also affirmed that the United States will sustain its annual funding of $20 million for the Peshmerga forces. He noted that while Trump did not specifically prioritize Iraq, he regarded it as a crucial component of his strategic approach against Iran.
In summary, David Schenker highlighted that under the Trump administration, Iraq was viewed as an extension of US pressure tactics against Iran, despite a lack of direct focus on the country itself. He underscored the benefits of US support for the Kurdistan Region and confirmed continued financial backing for local security forces, underscoring the strategic relationship between the US and Iraqi Kurdistan.
Original Source: shafaq.com
