Both Turkey and Iran are large and important countries in the Middle East; how these two countries relate to each other is of crucial importance both for the region and for the wider world. This book explores the diplomatic, security and energy relations of these two middle power states since 1979, analysing the impact of religious, political and social transformation on their bilateral relationship. It considers the nature of Turkey-Iran relations in the context of middle power relations theory, and goes on to look at diplomatic crises that have taken place between Turkey and Iran since 1979. The author analyses Turkey and Iran’s security relations with the wider Middle East, including the Kurdish-Turkish War, the Kurdish-Iranian War and the Kurdish-Arab War, and their impact on regional politics.

The author emphasizes that, in addition to the Palestine-Israel conflict, the significance of the oil and gas resources of the Middle East and the U.S. and British occupation of Iraq, relations between Turkey and Iran are vital to understanding the politics of the Middle East and the future of the region."--BOOK JACKET.

Turkey and Iran tend to be rivals rather than close partners, despite sharing certain economic and security interests. For instance, Turkey supports the opposition in Syria, while Iran supports the regime. Turkey is further concerned about a possible nuclear arms race in the Middle East. U.S. and Turkish interests in the region closely overlap, but the United States should not expect Turkey to follow its policy toward Iran unconditionally.

This thesis examines the past and present condition of Turkey's relations with an ally, the United States, and an old neighbor, Iran, and identifies the variables that have divided or united these three important players of the Middle East since 1979. The goal of this thesis is to answer the following questions: Is Turkish foreign policy changing direction? Is there really a common ground for Turkey and Iran to cooperate for the stability of the region? Is cooperation possible for these two old rival states each of whom has been seeking to be the dominant power of this region since the very beginning of their relations' long history? If yes, is it worthwhile for Turkey to improve her relations with Iran even in the face of U.S. opposition? In this context, although there seems a relative recovery in Turkish-Iranian relations and a decline in Turkey's relations with the United States due to diverging interests in the Middle East, Turkey and the United States should realize their importance for each other. They should establish a stronger structure to synchronize relations, so they do not end up in a "lose-lose" position by ignoring each other's priorities.

Particularly the last decade has seen Turkey becoming a prominent international actor in the Middle East. It likes to see itself as a conflict-manager and speaks of a zero problem toward neighbours foreign policy. This book attempts to understand Turkey's foreign policy, and the nature of the Turkish-Iranian relations. The central question of the book is whether Turkey is perceived to be a bridge or a threat by the European Union, the United States and the Arab world, and why. In analysing this question, particular attention is paid to the Turkey-Iran relations, due to the relevance of Iran in Middle East politics. Many factors influence the perspectives of these actors, and they fail to come to a consensus. Throughout the book, the appropriate historical context is provided for the best understanding of all the issues under discussion. This work will greatly extend your knowledge of Turkey's foreign policy and will give insights as to what the near future will be bringing.

The foreign policies of Turkey and Iran seem increasingly to dictate the course of events in the Middle East. More recently, and especially following the Syrian crisis, the spotlight has turned to these states' dynamic re-entry onto the political stage, revealing them as key players with an international role in efforts towards the balance of power across the region. This book traces the major determinants of Turkish and Iranian foreign policies and their influence on events in the Middle East. Based on an examination of these states' politics and policies since 1979, and using material gathered from interviews with leading political figures from Turkey, Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Marianna Charountaki offers fresh insights into how we understand the contemporary global order. Of particular importance, this book shows, is the effect of both external and internal factors on foreign policy and how the interaction between state and non-state actors informs political decisions. In placing these issues in a theoretical framework, Marianna Charountaki pioneers a new conceptual map within International Relations. An interdisciplinary study that provides a fresh new perspective, this book will be of particular interest to scholars of International Relations, Politics, Foreign Policy, Kurdish and Middle East Studies.