DID Press: US Department of War has eliminated direct funding for training and equipping Kurdish Peshmerga forces in its 2027 budget proposal, reducing support from $61 million to zero, while simultaneously requesting over $96 million for Iraq’s federal defense institutions and counterterrorism apparatus.
According to Iraqi media outlet Al-Ehdath, the budget shift represents a notable departure from previous years, when the U.S. consistently allocated funds to the Peshmerga as part of its regional security framework.
The Pentagon’s revised allocation is widely interpreted as a recalibration of Washington’s strategic priorities in Iraq, with increased emphasis on strengthening Baghdad’s central defense structures.
Key interpretations of the policy shift:
1) Political leverage over Kurdish factions
Analysts suggest the move may serve as pressure on Kurdish political groups amid disagreements over regional security cooperation and broader geopolitical alignments.
2) Concerns over fragmentation of Peshmerga forces
Washington has long expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of unification among Peshmerga units, which remain politically divided and only partially integrated with Iraq’s federal military structure.
3) Security allegations and arms diversion concerns
Some assessments link the decision to reported concerns over the possible diversion of U.S.-supplied weapons during regional unrest, though no official confirmation has been provided.
Overall, the funding cut signals a broader realignment in U.S. engagement in Iraq, with a clearer preference for centralized state security institutions over semi-autonomous armed forces.