As part of a long-term security agreement with Iraq, US forces could be stationed in Kurdistan. The Iraqi government and the head of northern Iraq's regional Kurdish administration, Massoud Barzani, have suggested to military officials that US forces be permanently based in Kurdistan. Mr Barzani has said a permanent US military presence in the Kurdistan region would defend Iraq from internal and external risks. On hearing the request, US democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama said it would be appropriate to redeploy US troops there in the future. [!?!]