LAUSR

This article studies Turkish foreign relations with elites from among Iraqi Kurds during the presidency of Turgut Ozal. The article identifies a group of factors that have influenced and changed the foreign policy paradigm of Turkey in the early 90s in an effort to take control of the processes within Iraqi Kurdistan (Northern Iraq).The events are shown against the backdrop of the strengthening of the Kurdish factor in Iraq during the Persian Gulf War against Saddam Hussayin and immediately after it. The article notes that foreign policy approaches of President Turgut Ozal formed the basis of the foreign policy strategy of the Party of Justice and Development (AKP).