"I have long believed that the partition of Iraq is beneficial, and that the United States should at least back a 'Kurdish state' in this part of the Kurdish region within the territory of Iraq," John Bolton, the former US national security adviser, told Rudaw, according to Baghdad Al-Youm.

Bolton added: "I do not think the United States has an effective policy on the Kurds. Many other countries, especially the Europeans, are facing the same situation, and when you look at the long history of the Kurdish movement, you can see that these countries have provided opportunities in stages that allowed major decisions to be made but in other stages, they have been an obstacle to the realization of these steps and have reversed it.”

"I have long believed that the partition of Iraq is a useful step and that the United States should recognize at least one Kurdish country in this part of Kurdistan, which is located within the territory of Iraq. But the more difficult issue for the Kurds is the other countries in the region. I believe that the United States should look at this issue from a strategic point of view, because it can have very important and positive results,” he further said.

The former US National Security Adviser said: "It is very important for the Kurds to maintain their relations with the US State Department, Congress and the US Department of Defense since the Kurds enjoy support in these institutions for various reasons. One of the reasons is the joint war of the two sides against the Islamic State (IS).”

"I do not think that any threat can endanger the Kurds in the next 100 days. I think the United States will not make any changes about the Kurdish issue before the US presidential election. Because Trump does not want to do anything that will bother him on election day,” he also said.

The former US National Security Adviser concluded: "I think that regardless of whether Trump or Biden wins the US presidential election, the Kurds must be prepared for the post-election period. The new president will take power in January, which will increase the likelihood of better or worse US policy towards the Kurds.”

Reporter’s code: 50101