A Flight to Washington — and a Closed Door
Diyar Harki – Founder of KurdFile
Masrour Barzani packed his suit, boarded the jet, and headed to Washington with a strategic mission: secure a meeting with Donald Trump, reaffirm loyalty to the United States — specifically the Trump camp — and position himself as the man ready to help dismantle the PMF and rein in Iraq’s militia landscape.
On paper, it sounded bold. In practice, it turned into political turbulence.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani read the play immediately. Spotting the KDP’s maneuver, Sudani moved swiftly — signaling his own readiness to coordinate with Washington. The message was subtle but clear: Baghdad can speak for itself.
Result? The diplomatic spotlight shifted. The runway lights dimmed.
The government media office has now confirmed that President Trump will not be granting Masrour Barzani an audience. After all the lobbying, the travel, and the anticipation, the meeting became a no-show.
In politics, timing is everything. Sometimes you fly thousands of miles only to discover the doorbell isn’t working — and someone else is already inside having coffee.
Author Profile
- Diyar Harki is an independent investigative journalist and human rights advocate. As a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), he focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Kurdistan and Iraq. He voluntarily contributes to Kurdfile Media.
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