Northern Iraq as a factor in Turkey's Iraq policy in the AK Party Period (2003-2018)

This research handles Northern Iraq as a factor in Turkey's Iraq policy in Justice ad Development Party (AK Party) period and examines the relations from 2003 to 2018. The research consists of two chapters. In the first chapter the historical relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been examined. The chapter has been dedicated to geographic, society and political structure of KRG and it tries make where this structure stand in relations with Turkey. It is discussed in the framework of hypothesis of the study that Turkey develops good relations with various groups and different political parties to apply its policy in Iraq. It will try to explain the events that Turkey could shape its Iraq policy via KRG. U.S invasion of Iraq has been accepted as a break point here and it has focused on Turkey's Iraq policy after 2003. The political and military relations specifically has been handed in this framework. In the second chapter, it is dedicated completely to the AK Party period and it has established main factors affecting Turkey-Iraq relations. It has also handled how the instability of Iraq affects Turkey and conflicted policies of Baghdad government with Ankara at the of prime minister Maliki. At the same time it mentions how KRG becomes a leverage in Turkey's Iraq policy at the time of crises. In another words, it searches how Turkey benefits from KRG's advantages and how it directs it to Iraq policy. In the framework of the same research question the role of KRG as a factor in the relations of Turkey and Iraq will be examined for the Haidar el-Abadi period after Nouri el-Maliki period. In 2007 the good relations between Turkey and KRG has deteriorated because of the referendum. After this Turkey has been closer to Baghdad governmnet and tried to solve its problems directly with that government. Turkey-Iraq relations has begun to normal after dialog ways opened. Thus, Turkey's foreign policy directions has changed to Iraqi central goverment instead of prioritizing KRG. In the conclusion chapter it will be discussed in which events KRG had a direct affect as a factor inthe Turkey-Iraq relations.