Trump and Xi Jingping summit: How are the United States and China redefining their relationship?

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As tensions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and global influence intensify, the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may determine the future balance of power between Washington and Beijing. By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Sulaimani, Iraq | 13 May 2026 — Kurdish Policy Analysis "We don't have permanent allies and we don't have permanent enemies, only our interests are permanent, and we have to follow them." – Henry John Temple. The root of the current Strait of Hormuz tensions is not only about shipping routes or oil prices, but also about the final collapse of the historical US concept towards Beijing. However, the 2025 National Security Strategy, released by the White House in November, says this was a historic mistake because China used the assets it accumulated to strengthen itself and compete with the West, not to become their partner. For many years, the United States alone maintained maritime security; The fifth US ship in Manama, Bahrain, worked only to keep o...
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US War Secretary to Kurds: “You Will Have to Deal With Iran-Backed Proxies”

Hegseth Message to Kurds Highlights Growing Threat From Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq
A reported statement from U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth underscores Washington’s expectation that Kurdish forces will face escalating pressure from regional proxy groups.

By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, Sulaimani, Kurdish Policy Analysis, April 24, 2026

A reported statement attributed to U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn attention to the growing security burden facing Kurdish forces in Iraq, particularly in relation to Iran-backed armed groups operating across the region.

According to the circulating remarks, Hegseth emphasized that Kurdish security actors will have to contend with the capabilities of Iranian-aligned militias and proxy forces active in Iraq and surrounding areas. The comment has been widely shared in political and military discussion circles, particularly under the reference “Mr. Kurd.”

A Signal of Burden-Shifting

If accurately reflected, the statement suggests a continuation of a long-standing reality in Iraq’s security landscape: Kurdish forces often find themselves on the front line of confrontation with non-state armed groups linked to regional powers.

Iranian-backed militias—frequently referred to as part of the “Axis of Resistance”—have expanded their operational reach in Iraq over the past decade, particularly in disputed territories and areas near Kurdish-administered regions.

Kurdish Security Under Pressure

For the Kurdistan Region, the implication is not new but increasingly acute.

Kurdish internal security forces have repeatedly faced drone strikes, cross-border shelling, and indirect pressure from proxy networks operating in Iraq’s complex security environment. These dynamics have intensified as regional tensions between the United States, Iran, and allied groups continue to escalate.

NATO and Iraq’s Security Equation

The reference to NATO highlights the broader international dimension of Iraq’s security framework. While Iraq is not a NATO member, cooperation programs and strategic partnerships with alliance members—particularly the United States—continue to shape its defense posture.

However, the gap between strategic support and on-the-ground protection remains a central issue for Kurdish authorities.

Strategic Interpretation

The reported message reflects a broader shift in regional security thinking: frontline actors, including Kurdish forces, are increasingly expected to manage proxy-level threats directly, rather than relying on external containment alone.

This places the Kurdistan Region in a structurally vulnerable position—situated between state actors, non-state militias, and competing international interests.

The Bottom Line

Whether interpreted as policy signaling or informal messaging, the statement reinforces a persistent reality in Iraq’s security architecture:

Kurdish forces remain a key buffer in a fragmented and highly militarized regional landscape.

#Kurdistan #Iraq #PeteHegseth #NATO #Iran #PMF #ProxyWars #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #KurdishSecurity #KurdishPolicyAnalysis

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