Points of Conflict and Convergence in Turkish and Iranian Foreign Policy in Iraq after 2003

Abstract

This study examines the political and security changes in Iraq since 2003 and their impact on relations with Turkey and Iran. Following the fall of the previous regime, Iraq experienced institutional deterioration and escalating sectarian and ethnic conflicts, which allowed neighboring countries to expand their influence. Iran emerged as a major power through its alliances with Shiite groups and its management of the Popular Mobilization Forces, while Turkey employed economic and military tools and partnerships with the Kurdistan Regional Government to balance Iranian influence and protect its interests.

The study focuses on points of convergence between Turkey and Iran, particularly in facing shared security threats and preventing Kurdish independence, while also highlighting points of divergence, especially in Kurdish-influenced areas such as Kirkuk and Sinjar. The research concludes that post-2003 Iraq has become a regional arena for competition between Turkey and Iran, characterized by regulated rivalry and occasional convergence, making the task of building a stable Iraqi state and strengthening national unity a challenging endeavor.