CIAO DATE: 08/2013
June 2013
Center for Strategic and International Studies
US and Iranian competition in Turkey and the South Caucuses has taken on renewed significance in light of recent protests in Istanbul and Ankara, as well as ongoing hostilities in Syria which threaten to destabilize the broader region. Turkey and the South Caucasus countries play an active role in US-Iranian competition. Turkey plays a particularly critical role relative to Syria, Iraq, Iran, and the Caspian region but the South Caucasus remains a relatively limited role in the broader competition between the US and Iran. Turkey has been generally supportive of the US, but has been careful to avoid provoking Iran, or taking a decisive stand regarding Iran’s nuclear program. At the same time, Turkey differs sharply from Iran over Iran’s support of Assad in Syria, does not want to see Iran increase its role in Iraq, and recognizes the potential threat a nuclear Iran would pose to the region.
Resource link: US and Iranian Strategic Competition: Turkey and the South Caucasus [PDF]