Turkish Strategy in the Iraqi Kurdistan and Syrian Kurdish Region and Iran

The role played by the Kurdish communities and Kurdish regions of Iraq, Syria and Turkey may not be underestimated in the complex, speedy trend of political developments occurring in the Middle East. The Kurdish communities in the Middle East are characterized by ethnic, cultural and geopolitical cohesion, conflict and confrontation with the central governments, and their willingness to unification and integration of the Kurdish nation. Significant political developments that have highlighted the conditions of the Kurdish regions in Iraq, Syria and Turkey include challenges between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government, a new round of violence between the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) and the Turkish government, the role played by Syrian Kurds in the of Syrian crisis and the quality of the relationship among other transregional actors and this region. A glance at the current political trends would reveal that Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish communities of the region is double-sided; the Turkish government seeks to establish strategic ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whereas it has adopted a security policy towards the Syrian Kurds. This has in turn resulted in Islamic Republic of Iran’s response due to a similar condition. This research searches for an answer to the following question: What is the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards Turkey’s strategy in the Iraqi Kurdistan and Syrian Kurdish region? The hypothesis indicates that due to geopolitical considerations, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken the position of protecting territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria vis-à-vis Turkey’s strategy regarding the Kurdish communities. The author uses a descriptive-analytical research method, drawing upon bibliographical data. The role played by the Kurdish communities and Kurdish regions of Iraq, Syria and Turkey may not be underestimated in the complex, speedy trend of political developments occurring in the Middle East. The Kurdish communities in the Middle East are characterized by ethnic, cultural and geopolitical cohesion, conflict and confrontation with the central governments, and their willingness to unification and integration of the Kurdish nation. Significant political developments that have highlighted the conditions of the Kurdish regions in Iraq, Syria and Turkey include challenges between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government, a new round of violence between the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) and the Turkish government, the role played by Syrian Kurds in the of Syrian crisis and the quality of the relationship among other transregional actors and this region. A glance at the current political trends would reveal that Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish communities of the region is double-sided; the Turkish government seeks to establish strategic ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whereas it has adopted a security policy towards the Syrian Kurds. This has in turn resulted in Islamic Republic of Iran’s response due to a similar condition. This research searches for an answer to the following question: What is the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards Turkey’s strategy in the Iraqi Kurdistan and Syrian Kurdish region? The hypothesis indicates that due to geopolitical considerations, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken the position of protecting territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria vis-à-vis Turkey’s strategy regarding the Kurdish communities. The author uses a descriptive-analytical research method, drawing upon bibliographical data.