US to End Peshmerga Military Aid, Risking Power Vacuum in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Trump administration is preparing to cut off military aid to Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, ending a long-standing security partnership that helped defeat the Islamic State group, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The US Department of Defense has informed Kurdish leaders in recent meetings that it will not renew an expiring agreement providing security assistance to the Peshmerga, the Kurdish security force.
Two officials who participated in the talks and two other sources with direct knowledge of the issue told the BBC that Kurdish officials fear the funding cut would create a power vacuum and embolden Iran, which has launched hundreds of missiles and drones into Iraqi Kurdistan since President Donald Trump initiated a war with Tehran.
A Partnership Under Strain
The decision marks a significant shift in US policy toward a partner that has been central to American strategy in the Middle East for decades. The Peshmerga fought alongside US forces in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later played a critical role in the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group, particularly during the battle for Mosul. Analysts warn that ending the aid could send a message that the US is an unreliable ally in the region.
"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. "This is going to be a big win for Iran, China, and Russia if the Kurds are left so exposed."
The Broader Aid Landscape
The move comes amid a wider reassessment of US foreign military aid under President Trump, who has pledged to reduce America's foreign entanglements. Simultaneously, other Western nations are stepping up their own military commitments. Italy, for example, recently announced a secret aid package to Ukraine, including next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems and Aster 30 missiles, valued at nearly 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion). That package, reported by Italian outlet La Repubblica, was deliberately kept under wraps to avoid internal political conflict in Rome over continued support for Kyiv.
These contrasting approaches highlight a growing divergence in Western military aid strategies. While the US is pulling back in the Middle East, European allies are increasing their support in Eastern Europe, particularly in response to Russia's intensifying strikes on Ukrainian cities. The Italian package includes four SAMP/T NG batteries, which are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles—a vital capability for Ukraine as it faces a dire air defense shortage.
Domestic and International Stakes
The Peshmerga aid cutoff is not without domestic complications. Kurdish leaders have historically relied on US support to maintain their autonomy and protect their borders against regional pressures from Turkey, Iran, and Iraq's central government. The timing is particularly sensitive as Iran has already demonstrated its willingness to strike Kurdish territory, and any perceived weakening of US backing could embolden Tehran further.
In Washington, the decision aligns with Trump's campaign promises to reduce foreign commitments, but it has drawn criticism from former officials and analysts who argue that abandoning the Kurds undermines US credibility. Similar concerns have been raised in past drawdowns, such as the 2019 withdrawal from northern Syria, which left Kurdish allies vulnerable to Turkish incursions.
A Shift in Global Alliances
The developments signal a broader realignment in global military assistance. As the US reduces its footprint in some regions, it is redirecting resources elsewhere, while European nations like Italy and France are taking on more prominent roles in other conflicts. The Italy-Ukraine package, coordinated with France, is a clear example of this trend, with Paris and Rome agreeing to authorize the production of Aster 30 interceptor missiles inside Ukraine—a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
For the Kurds, the loss of US aid could push them toward alternative partners, potentially including Russia or China, which have shown interest in expanding their influence in the region. As Yerevan Saeed warned, the power vacuum left by the US withdrawal could have consequences far beyond Iraqi Kurdistan, affecting the balance of power in the entire Middle East.
The decision also comes against a backdrop of domestic turbulence in US politics, where foreign policy decisions are increasingly scrutinized. While the administration frames the move as part of a broader strategy to end "forever wars," critics argue that cutting aid to allies like the Kurds undermines US security interests and leaves a vacuum that adversaries are eager to fill.
As the expiring agreement lapses, the immediate future of the Peshmerga remains uncertain. Kurdish officials have not announced a formal response, but the implications are clear: the region may have to adapt to a new reality with reduced US support, potentially reshaping alliances in a volatile part of the world.
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