The Iranian-Turkish Rivalry and Influence in the Reality and Developments of the Political Conflict in Syria During the Period (2011-2017)

Abstract

This study aims mainly at analyzing the reality of the Iranian-Turkish competition to expand their political and military influence in Syria. To achieve the objectives of the study and to answer its question, the study seeks to verify the following hypothesis: There is a correlation between the Turkish and Iranian political interests in Syria. The study concluded that Iran seeks to strengthen the power of the Syrian regime and its role in Syria at the expense of the Syrian opposition supported by Turkey, which seeks to reduce the Kurds in northern Syria. The conflict in Syria has given a definite shape to the relations between Turkey and Iran. The Syrian crisis has contributed to the spread of Iranian-Turkish relations according to the differences over the crisis. It is possible to say that the events of the "Arab Spring" in general and the Syrian events in particular have produced a complex geo-strategic reality in the Middle East region, which has emerged mainly in the competition between Turkey and Iran.