At a Glance

• Qubad Talabani and Consul General Green heralded fresh trilateral ties following the September 30 Coalition drawdown.
• Both officials demanded that Kurdish factions immediately accelerate stalled cabinet formation.
• The leaders called on Iraqi parties to fill all remaining vacant ministerial seats.

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the caretaker Kurdistan Region Government, met with U.S. Consul General Wendy Green to navigate “a new phase” of trilateral ties focused on economic growth and to stress an immediate acceleration of the stalled KRG cabinet formation.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• According to Qubad Talabani’s Media Office, both parties stressed that “a new phase of relations has emerged.” 
• During the meeting, both sides addressed several issues of mutual concern, including bilateral relations, the establishment of the new government cabinet, and Erbil-Baghdad relations. 

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Talabani and Green focused their discussions on trilateral relations between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region following the formal drawdown of Coalition forces on September 30.

Both parties underscored the transition to a new chapter in relations, noting that future cooperation will center on expanding ties across all sectors, particularly in economy and trade.

Addressing government talks between Kurdish political parties, they highlighted the importance of “intensifying efforts to reach a final agreement on cabinet formation.” 

Both sides also stressed the need for Iraqi political factions to cooperate in finalizing the federal cabinet and filling all vacant positions.

FYI

The U.S.–Kurdistan Region partnership dates back to 1991, when Operation Provide Comfort delivered humanitarian assistance to displaced Kurds and evolved to include a safe haven and a no-fly zone in the Region.

Cooperation expanded in 2003, when Peshmerga forces worked alongside U.S. forces during the Iraq War, and deepened further in 2014, following the formation of the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

The Peshmerga played a significant role in the campaign against ISIS alongside Iraqi security forces and Coalition partners, receiving U.S. air support, training, equipment, and assistance.

The bilateral meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Talabani and Consul General Green occurs following the formal September 30 departure of forces. 

Following this drawdown, Talabani issued an official statement underlining that the transition begins a strategic shift toward a long-term civilian partnership with Washington. 

Both KRG and Peshmerga officials have publicly highlighted the necessity of expanding bilateral relations beyond security matters, prioritizing diversified collaboration centered on institutional development, direct foreign investment, and expanding trade and economic growth. 

The U.S. Department of State also affirmed that the conclusion of the international military mission is not a total departure, but rather a structured transition into an enduring bilateral security relationship

The diplomatic transition coincides with intense internal and external pressure on Kurdish political factions to resolve the ongoing KRG cabinet deadlock, as international partners, including the United States, have consistently pressured local parties to immediately accelerate stalled cabinet formation following the 2024 elections. 

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