Vision foundation

Arms control under state authority, the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq, the unification of Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces, post-withdrawal scenarios, and the nature of Iraq–U.S. relations across diplomatic, investment, economic, energy, and cultural spheres were the central themes of two seminars and an open panel discussion organized by the National Security Board of the Vision Foundation. The event brought together military experts, researchers, politicians, and members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives.

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, the National Security Board of the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies hosted an extensive gathering of military specialists, senior defense officials from the Kurdistan Region, and political and defense experts. The program commenced with a presentation by Renas Bakr, a member of the Vision Foundation’s National Security Board, titled (Arms Control, Coalition Withdrawal, Unification of Peshmerga Forces). Following this, Prof. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Hussein, International Relations Expert delivered an online presentation addressing the same three subjects.

In her seminar, Renas Bakr analyzed potential future scenarios for Iraq, emphasizing that the country is not merely facing the withdrawal of coalition forces, but is actively redefining itself across all domains concerning arms, statehood, and regional and international relations.

Regarding the unification of the Peshmerga forces, Renas Bakr highlighted that the Peshmerga has been transitioning from a partisan-affiliated force into a unified military institution, stating that true unification will succeed when no forces remain operational outside the structure of the Ministry of Peshmerga.

Ghazi Faisal, speaking remotely, noted that the current U.S.–Iraq relationship is strategic and extends beyond prior military cooperation into ongoing economic, investment, and cultural partnerships.

He added that following the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi to Washington, the United States will play a vital role in bolstering Iraq’s energy sector from production to marketing reaffirming that Iraq cannot bypass or discard its strategic ties with the U.S.

The sessions concluded with remarks from military, political, and economic specialists, along with Iraqi parliamentarians, who exchanged perspectives and thoroughly examined these three critical issues during an open discussion.