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Middle East Review of International Affairs
Islamist Iran and Turkey, 1979-1989: State Pragmatism and Ideological Influences
by Unal Gundogan
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Abstract
Many analysts expected that the Iranian Revolution of 1979 would severely deteriorate relations between Iran and Turkey because an Islamist Iran would never accept a Kemalist Turkey as a neighbor. During the first decade after the revolution, however, this did not happen due to Tehran’s appreciation of its own practical political interests over ideology. Iran needed Turkey to continue its war with Iraq; Turkey needed good relations with Iran for economic reasons. Both feared possible Soviet infiltration in the region. Therefore, ideological hostilities were downplayed and decent relations maintained.
Full PDF Document, 12 pages, 72 kb
Endnotes
Note *: Dr. Unal Gundogan received his Ph.D. in political science from the Middle East Technical University and works for a public institution as a European Union Expert Back