The ‘Deepening’ of Strategic Partnership between Iraq and Iran

The ‘Deepening’ of Strategic Partnership between Iraq and Iran
Assist. Prof. Bayram Sinkaya, ORSAM Advisor and Yıldırım Beyazıt University

This policy brief addresses implications of major developments that took place in 2014 for the bilateral relations between Baghdad and Tehran, including the parliamentary elections, the seizure of Mosul by ISIS, and the formation of new government in Iraq. Iran closely follows developments in Iraq because of its national security concerns and its regional strategies. In order to preserve its interests in Iraq, Iranian government adopted a cautious approach throughout the elections, played a critical role in the formation of Abadi government, and provided comprehensive military support to Iraq in its struggle against ISIS. Iran’s political support to Abadi for the formation of the new government facilitated the preservation of Iranian interests in Iraq and strategic relations between Baghdad and Tehran. The comprehensive military support of Iran that was extended to Iraq to boost its struggle against ISIS led to the widening of military cooperation between the two countries. It is argued that major developments throughout 2014 furthered Iranian influence in Iraq, and culminated in the ‘deepening’ of strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Turkish version:

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23 December 2014

ORSAM REVIEW: THE EFFECTS OF THE ISIS OPERATIONS ON THE TURKMENS

THE EFFECTS OF THE ISIS OPERATIONS ON THE TURKMENS

Bİlgay Duman

please see:

http://www.orsam.org.tr/en/enUploads/Article/Files/2014727_2014726_policybriefing7.pdf

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant  (ISIS), which has dominated headlines,  has been continuing its offensive,   causing a crisis among the people in  areas in the northern part of Iraq,  where it has captured. Especially the Sunni Arabs and  Turkmens are facing hard times in  the cities under the ISIS, rule such  as Mosul, Tel Afar, Salahaddin and  Diyala, in which they constitute the  majority.  The Sunni Arabs, while being under  risks due to the ISIS operations,  are not under a direct threat.  However, for the Turkmens, who live  in the same region as the Sunni Arabs,  the ISIS advance constitutes both  direct and indirect threats to their  survival. The Turkish version

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28 Ekim 2013 - ORSAM Günlük Ortadoğu Haber Bülteni

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ORSAM Günlük Ortadoğu Bülteni ile bölgeyle ilgili bütün 

güncel gelişmeleri takip edebilirsiniz.

Türkiye-Ortadoğu İlişkileri, toplumsal hareketler, siyasi 

dinamikler, uluslararası sistemle etkileşim ve daha fazlası 

bu bültende yer almaktadır. İnternet sitemizin sağ 

sütununda bulunan Bülten linkinden arşivimize de 

ulaşabilirsiniz. 

ORSAM Günlük Ortadoğu Haber Bülteni'ne ulaşmak 

için tıklayınız

http://www.orsam.org.tr/tr/trUploads/OrtadoguBulteni/20131025_25%20Ekim%202013.pdf

ORSAM Report No: 153 Electoral Laws in Iraq

http://www.orsam.org.tr/en/enUploads/Article/Files/2013422_153.pdf

ORSAM Report No: 153 Electoral Laws in Iraq

ORSAM -

After the 2003 U.S. invasion, a new system has been  strived to be established in Iraq. Within this system, it was aimed to create a country ruled by  governments through elections, which is one of the essential principles of democracy. To that  end; constituent assembly elections to prepare  the Iraqi Constitution were held on 30 January 2005,  Constitutional referendum was held on 15 October  2005, local and general elections were held on 15  December 2005, local elections and general  elections were held respectively on 31 January 2009  and on 7 March 2010. In the forthcoming two years,  it is planned to hold two more elections in Iraq.  In the first place, local elections will be carried out  on 20 April 2013. Then, general elections are  expected to be held in 2014.        Considering the federal structure in Iraq, the local  elections are such as to shape the Iraqi politics.  The local elections will be a key to general elections  to be carried out in 2014. Within  this report,  Arabic texts of laws on local elections in Iraq,  as well as their Turkish translations can be found.  Hasan Kanbolat, ORSAM Director

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Internal Political Balances in North Iraq and Future of the Strategic Alliance

ORSAM Report No: 140 Internal Political Balances in North Iraq and Future of the Strategic Alliance

The Strategic agreement is the name of the document alleged to have been signed between KDP and PUK in 2006, and to have designated the conditions of strategic alliance between the two parties. The strategic agreement, which was considered as the cornerstone of the alliance between KDP and PUK for a long period of time, has been criticized since 25 July 2009 and its amendment has also been brought up to the agenda. According to KDP, the strategic agreement should be revised, the share of PUK should be reduced, and the agreement should be amended again if needed. According to PUK, this agreement is not an electoral alliance between the two parties, but a long-term agreement. The balance of power in the region should not be handled simply within the framework of the number of votes and the distribution of power in the parliament. The breakdown of PUK and the formation of Gorran, strengthening KDP, internal conflicts of Islamist movements launched the destruction process of the dual structure in North Iraq since 1990s.

This agreement will not be broken as long as Jalal Talabani is alive. However, before the elections to be held, the rate of deputies and also the rate of distribution of their offices might change as a result of the agreement between Talabani and Barzani.
Contents
Presentation

Abstract

Introduction

1. Strategic Alliance as the Key of Dual Structure in North Iraq

2. Potential Political Developments to Take Place in the Region in the Near Future

Interviews
1. Interview with Shaho Saeed, Spokesman of the Gorran (Change) Party
2. Interview with Muhammad Tawfiq Rahim, Director of External Relations of Gorran (Change) Movement
3. Interview with Mohammad Ahmad, Politburo Member of Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU)
4. Interview with Sadi Ahmet Pire, Politburo Member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

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21 December 2012

IRAK TÜRKMENLERİ-1

ORSAM Rapor No 49: ORSAM SÖYLEŞİLERİ-2 IRAK TÜRKMENLERİ-1

http://www.orsam.org.tr/tr/trUploads/Yazilar/Dosyalar/2011521_orsamturkmenler_bolum1.

ORSAM SÖYLEŞİLERİ-1 IRAKLI ARAPLAR, AZINLIKLAR ve AKADEMİSYENLER-1

ORSAM Rapor No 48: ORSAM SÖYLEŞİLERİ-1 IRAKLI ARAPLAR, AZINLIKLAR ve AKADEMİSYENLER-1

Metnin Tamamı

http://www.orsam.org.tr/tr/raporgoster.aspx?ID=1895

The Turzhurmatu Turkmens: A success story

ORSAM REPORTS

THE TUZHURMATU TURKMENS: A SUCCESS STORY

Tuzhurmatu that constitutes a buffer zone between the Arabs and Kurds due to its location is a significant Turkmen settlement in terms of demographic and geographic qualities. Tuzhurmatu is one of the places in Iraq where the Iraqi Turkmen community gained success in the post-occupation period. Tuzhurmatu consolidated this success in the latest provincial council elections as well. Tuzhurmatu is a transition point between Kirkuk and the Turkmens of Diyala. It also provides support to Kirkuk with its political status and Turkmen entity. Therefore, it has been one of the most important districts for the Iraqi Turkmens throughout the years.

Tuzhurmatu which is the provincial district of Salahaddin, located on the north of Baghdad is the second largest district of the province. As usual in the region, the relations are based on earthbound production; therefore the mode of organization is merely tribal-structured. The population is increasing rapidly. Tuzhurmatu’s population which was 128,000 in 2003 before the occupation, increased up to 190,000 nowadays. This figure shows that the population increased 50% during the six years after the occupation. The majority of the Turkmen population in Tuzhurmatu city center is of Shiite origin but the villagers are mostly Sunni. Though there isn’t any sectarian discrimination, the Turkmens are living in peace and are willing to cooperate. Despite there were some provocations to evoke sectarian discrimination in some villages, such efforts were ignored by the locals. Majority of the Turkmens living in Tuzhurmatu are members of the Turkish Bayat branch. Tuzhurmatu’s social structure had a significant influence on the political arena as well. Turkmen’s who were alienated by the former regime, were prematurely politicized and participated in the Shiite movements within Iraq.

There are some facts about politics in the district: ITF who won two seats in Salahaddin in the 31 January 2009 elections, probably gained its greatest victory in Tuzhurmatu. The number of total voters in the district was 90,000 and the electoral turnout was 50 %. Still, ITF managed to get 20,000 votes. This shows that the majority of the Turkmens have voted for ITF. When we take a look at the overall figures in other regions, we see that, Tuzhurmatu was ITF’s greatest success on proportional basis. In particular when considering facts such as the canons of provincial committee elections of 2005 and nonparticipation of Arabs, Tuzhurmatu is a success.

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