End of a Decade-Long Security Partnership
The US Department of Defense has informed leaders of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region that it does not intend to renew a long-standing memorandum of understanding that provides critical security assistance to the Peshmerga. This decision, confirmed by four sources familiar with the matter, is scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026—the same date the United States completes the withdrawal of its remaining military personnel from Iraq.
The Peshmerga, a force of approximately 180,000 soldiers, has served as a primary US partner in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). In fiscal year 2026, the unit received $61 million in US funding for training, weapons, and stipends. While the Pentagon proposed eliminating this aid in its 2027 budget request, arguing that the defeat of IS renders the expenditure unnecessary, the final spending plan remains under active congressional review.
Geopolitical Stakes and Regional Security
Kurdish officials and regional analysts warn that the termination of support could create a dangerous power vacuum in Northern Iraq. Despite the formal defeat of IS, the region remains under frequent pressure from Iran. According to research from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iranian forces and their proxies conducted 158 missile or drone strikes within Iraqi Kurdistan by late May 2026.
“The US would be cutting off the Kurds, who shed so much blood to help the Americans achieve their goals in Iraq and the wider Middle East,” said Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at American University. Experts like former US ambassador James Jeffrey argue that the withdrawal risks repeating the strategic errors of 2014, when a power vacuum facilitated the rise of the Islamic State.
The Future of US-Kurdish Relations
The planned aid cutoff comes less than a year after the US inaugurated an $800 million consulate in Irbil, a move intended to signify a long-term commitment to the region. As the US moves toward a policy of reducing foreign entanglements, the administration is considering alternative security frameworks. While the White House and the Iraqi government have discussed a potential bilateral defense pact, the specific role of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) within such an agreement remains unclear.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signaled a shift in responsibility, stating that Iraqi Security Forces—including the Peshmerga—must now lead the fight against terrorism. However, critics of the policy, including former defense official Jason Campbell, contend that if the US proceeds with the withdrawal of both troops and funding, the Kurds will become the most vulnerable targets for Iranian aggression in the post-withdrawal landscape.