Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign Includes Iraq, Says Former US Official
Former US official David Schenker stated that President Trump included Iraq in his maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Schenker highlighted the benefits of US policy toward the Kurdistan Region, including continued military presence and financial support for Peshmerga forces. He noted that while Iraq was not a primary concern for Trump, it remained part of the broader strategy against Iran.
On Thursday, David Schenker, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, stated that President Donald Trump incorporated Iraq into his overarching strategy of maximum pressure on Iran. Schenker made these remarks during the second day of the 2025 Erbil Forum, emphasizing the implications of US policy towards the Kurdistan Region.
Schenker pointed out that Washington’s approach has furnished numerous benefits to the Kurdistan Region, chief among them being enduring US support and the presence of American military personnel in Iraqi Kurdistan. He further confirmed that the United States intends to sustain its annual financial assistance of $20 million allocated for the Peshmerga forces.
Regarding the Trump administration’s policy concerning Iraq, Schenker remarked, “I don’t think Trump was particularly focused on Iraq, but he considered it part of his broader maximum pressure campaign against Iran.” This perspective highlights the interconnectedness between US-Iran relations and Iraq’s role in them.
In summary, David Schenker’s insights at the Erbil Forum stressed the inclusion of Iraq in the Trump administration’s strategy against Iran, underlining continued US support for the Kurdistan Region and its military forces. The annual funding for the Peshmerga exemplifies ongoing US commitment, while also acknowledging that Iraq was not the primary focus of Trump’s foreign policy. Schenker’s statements reflect the complexity of US-Iran relations and the strategic role of Iraq in this geopolitical context.
Original Source: shafaq.com
