The End of an Alliance? US Plans to Halt Security Assistance to the Peshmerga
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to terminate military aid to one of its most steadfast allies in the region. The target? The Peshmerga, the Kurdish security forces that played a pivotal role in the grueling battle to defeat the Islamic State (IS).
According to high-level sources, the US Department of Defense has signaled that it does not intend to renew the expiring security agreement with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq. This decision comes at a critical juncture, as the region faces an escalating campaign of drone and missile attacks launched by Iran.
The Financial and Strategic Fallout
For the fiscal year 2026, the Peshmerga received approximately $61 million for essential weaponry, specialized military training, and stipends through the Pentagon’s counter-IS program. However, the proposed budget for 2027 suggests a complete wipeout of this support.
The Pentagon’s rationale is straightforward: with the territorial defeat of IS, the funds should be reallocated. Yet, analysts argue this logic ignores the current geopolitical reality. The risks include:
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- A Power Vacuum: The removal of US support could leave a security gap that adversaries are eager to fill.
- Empowering Iran: With over 150 attacks already recorded against Iraqi Kurdistan, the loss of military aid could embolden Tehran.
- Erosion of Trust: Allies may view this as a sign that the US cannot be trusted to maintain long-term commitments.
A Contradictory Diplomacy
The decision to cut aid is particularly puzzling given recent diplomatic investments. Last December, the US opened its largest consulate in the world in Irbil, an $800 million complex intended to symbolize the enduring value of the US-Kurdish relationship. This stark contrast between diplomatic infrastructure and military abandonment has left Kurdish officials in a state of uncertainty.
Furthermore, the expiration of the security memorandum coincides with the full withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on September 30, marking the formal end of the international military campaign against IS. As Council on Foreign Relations experts often note, such withdrawals can inadvertently lead to the resurgence of instability if not managed with precision.
The ‘America First’ Doctrine in Action
This shift aligns with President Trump’s pledge to reduce foreign entanglements. By pivoting away from regional security burdens, the administration seeks to minimize US exposure to Iranian retaliation. However, former diplomats, including James Jeffrey, warn that repeating the mistakes of 2011—where a vacuum led to the rise of ISIS—would be a strategic blunder.
As the US considers a new bilateral defense pact with the central Iraqi government, the role of the Kurdish region remains an open question. Whether this is a necessary correction in foreign policy or a dangerous gamble will likely be decided by how quickly regional rivals move to fill the void left by the absence of US military aid.
