MIDDLE EAST IN PLAY Realignments, Misalignments

摘要

IRAQ-TURKEY: Diplomacy between Iraq and Turkey is going full-tilt, with a dizzying schedule of visits as the two countries strive to normal-ize ties after two years of tension. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was just in Baghdad. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is to visit Ankara, and his counterpart Tayyip Erdogan pledged a return trip to Baghdad (EC Nov.8'13). The schedule also includes a meeting with Erdogan this weekend for Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast. Erbil will likely bill the meeting as underscoring its ties with Ankara as it gears up to pump oil via Turkey " from end-year, but many see it as an attempt by Erdogan to boost support for his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the expense of the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) ahead of local elections in March. Davutoglu in Baghdad criticized the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) for forming a "transitional administration" in northeast Syria, saying it could divide Syria. Washington also expressed concern, saying it supports Syrian territorial integrity — echoing its position on Iraq.