Recent developments in the Syrian Crisis have precipitated a rising
diplomatic tension between Iran and Turkey which led to accusations of appeal
to “Persian nationalism” and “sectarian policies” in Iranian efforts to promote
national interests in Iraq and Syria. Some say Turkish Iranian relations have
been simmering for years in part due to the natural tension caused by the
sectarian issue but opposing views over Iraq and Syria have caused tensions to heat
further. Here are the opposing views:
Turkey: Turkey saw the Syrian Crisis
as an opportunity for expansion of influence and Sunni Turkey also has no
desire for either a strong Shiite or independent Kurdish presence along its
southern border (currently Syria). Avoidance of an independent Kurdish presence
comes from the fear that international recognition of Syrian and Iraqi Kurds
could lead to restlessness among Kurdish citizens of Turkey. Turkey has
promoted this self-interest through an indirect support for rebel forces.Iran: Shiite Iran, on the other hand, views Syria and Iraq as a vital sphere of influence and buffer to surrounding Sunni nations and therefore feels threatened by Turkish involvement in a possible regime change. Iran, in response, has backed Assad’s authority, along with Russia, providing support against ISIL and anti-Assad rebels.
-‘"Iran is extremely disturbed by Turkey's Euphrates Shield
operation in Syria and its military presence in Iraq's Bashiqa," Erdem
Aydin, an expert on Iran at Istanbul's Bogazici University, told Al Jazeera.’
Despite this escalation, most experts do not seem worried about
tensions boiling over. The Turkish Iranian border is one of the oldest
international borders, formed in 1639 by the Qasr-i Shirin Treaty. Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani recently expressed interest in expanding Turkish
Iranian relations while highlighting recent improvements such as a preferential
trade agreement and co-signed cooperation agreements on various fields of
government. Perhaps the strongest deterrent to conflict for both sides, Turkish
Iranian economic relations have become a heavily vested mutual interest:
‘“90 percent of Iran's natural gas exports go to Turkey and Turkey
imports 20 percent of its natural gas from Iran, " Aydin told Al Jazeera.
"Regional politics may cause tensions between the two countries, but in
the light of their strong economic ties, I don't believe the recent escalation
in diplomatic tensions is going to lead to a serious confrontation."’
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/hostility-iran-turkey-170225184418231.html
http://www.eurasiareview.com/02032017-turkish-iranian-relations-hit-turbulence-oped/
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/03/01/1343461/president-rouhani-closer-iran-turkey-relations-to-serve-regional-stability
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/security/reports/2016/07/11/140959/turkey-iran-relations/
Greed is unfortunately is one of the only ways to keep peace between nations.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, I wonder how palpable these tensions are on a day to day basis between the people of Iran and Turkey. If their economies are so intertwined, I would imagine the distrust is only truly felt and exchanged by political figures.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to read about Sunni-Shiite relations in the Middle East. I suppose it is just that in some regions relations are poor and in others, they’re just fine. I myself cannot see two sister countries – their GDPs and populations are both quite comparable – with such a historical border coming to war with one another over differing interests in Syria’s civil war.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I am curious to what extent Turkey is being pressured by Russia and Iran to remove itself from NATO.
It will be interesting to see if their economic dependence really prevents further conflict
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ReplyDeleteI know that Iran has had its issues with the other Middle Eastern countries in the past, but I think it's really interesting how there is so much distaste towards the Turkish people by the Iranians and vice versa. I think that, with the growing issue of the crisis in Syria, tensions in the Middle East are increasing and the amount of trust between the countries of this region is decreasing, and instead of trying to put aside their cultural differences and help each other, these nations are using their cultural differences, grievances, and grudges against each other, which is not healthy or safe and could ultimately end up in something drastically dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting to see oil function here as as broker of peace instead of rivalry and competition.
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