The Iran war, Kurdish forces and Turkey-Iraq rapprochement with Lahib Higel

Description

Recap radio #39 Lahib Higel, interim deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa program at the International Crisis Group, joins Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to discuss the Iran war. Higel recently co-authored a report on Turkey-Iraq rapprochement titled “Strengthening Iraq-Türkiye Ties amid Regional Tensions.” In this podcast, she juxtaposes the main trend lines from the report against the ongoing regional conflict, highlighting areas to watch in the coming weeks and months. Also covered are discussions about the possible reopening of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to export Iraqi oil through Turkey—a move that would circumvent the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the pair take deep dives into Iran-Turkey power competition in Iraq, the prospects of a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran and how the war might impact the Turkey-PKK peace process. Referenced in this talk: Submit a question for our Q&A with this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejx4zm--mAkDfEmAOKXuyUbcmQwTYimtUj64giU0OS1SRY7g/viewform Strengthening Iraq-Türkiye Ties amid Regional Tensions https://www.crisisgroup.org/rpt/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-turkiye/254-strengthening-iraq-turkiye-ties-amid-regional-tensions Rivals within: How Iran and Turkey compete inside Iraq’s fractured politics https://kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/rivals-within-how-iran-and-turkey-compete-inside-iraqs-fractured-politics/ Iraq plans pipeline revamp for direct Kirkuk oil exports to Turkey, minister says https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iraq-plans-pipeline-revamp-direct-kirkuk-oil-exports-turkey-minister-says-2026-03-16/ How would a Kurdish offensive change the war in Iran? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/how-would-a-kurdish-offensive-change-the-war-in-iran/ For more on Turkish politics, news and business, visit: https://www.turkeyrecap.com