Die Irak-Krise aus der Sicht der Türkei. Interessen und Handlungsspielräume
The Iraq-Crisis from the a Turkish Perspective. Interests and Options

Summary/Abstract: The Iraq crisis confronts Turkish policy makers with big challenges. This is connected to at least two main factors: Firstly, Turkey is a direct neighbour of Iraq and is directly affected by the consequences of an Iraq war with regard to geo-strategy, economy and policy. Already during the Gulf War in 1991, Turkey clearly felt the strong vulnerability especially through the massive economic losses the country had to suffer. Secondly, the Kurdish factor plays a central part in the strategic and corporate safety policy of the constellation of interests. Not only is Turkey afraid of the massive economic burden of the war but also of the uncontrollable development in the autonomous areas of the Kurds in northern Iraq: A war could lead to the decay of Iraq and the foundation of a Kurdish state with corresponding effects on the autonomous activities of the Kurds in their own country. This scenario takes the centre stage of the Turkish perception of danger. After all, Turkish policy makers have to face the challenge to reconcile the specific strategic interests and corporate safety policy with the interests and obligations towards the strategically important partner USA and still try to get domestic support. Before the background of the Gulf War experiences in 1991, Ankara now tries to keep the risks and burdens of a new Iraq war as low as possible and at the same time not to jeopardise own interests and the strategic partnership with the USA in this diplomatic political fate.

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