Northern Iraq policy of Turkey: State-government relationships

There have been many struggles originating from inner and outer reasons in the Northern Iraq because of its strategic location, natural resources and socio-cultural human structure. After the Second Gulf Operation (1991) in the leadership of the USA, lots of negotiations and agreements have been done about what the status of Northern Iraq would be (Dublin, Ankara, Washington processes) by the Coalition Forces. The USA aimed to reshape the Middle-East after the terror attack on 11th September 2001. The USA aims a regime in Iraq compatible with the West. However after the Third Gulf Operation the USA has not provided peace aimed in Iraq yet. As for the Kurds living in the Northern Iraq are trying to get better rights than the opportunities they got with the 1974 autonomy law by giving support to the new government which is aimed in Iraq by international public opinion. Kurd groups are evaluating the subject as a part of ?Independent Kurd State? target. The thesis of ?Independent Kurd State? disturbs all the Shi´i and Sunni Arabs and Turkmen. In this situation it is thought that other ethnic and religious groups would gather against Kurd groups. In terms of its location Northern Iraq could affect the four important country of South-east Asia (Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran). This situation increases the complexity of relationships and the number of the actors who want to be effective in the region. In the study, the geographic and strategic importance of Northern Iraq and socio-economic and political situation are put forward. Evaluations have been done about the policies that have to be applied by Turkey in the light of near history of the region, its situation in the Gulf War, and the policies against the developments of the USA, Coalition Forces, Turkey, and the countries which have benefits. Active strategies have to be determined against every kind of developments that aim the disintegration of Iraq. Otherwise, to behave in a crisis focused manner against this disintegration, with the destruction of the Turkey?s regional effectiveness, it would cause serious inner and outer security risks. Turkey has to follow a proactive policy to leave out the mentioned risks.