Analysis of factors affecting the sustainability of cross-border cooperation in a case study (Iran and the region of Iraqi Kurdistan)

Cross-border cooperation brings together communities on both sides of the border, and this can potentially help transform them into developed communities. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the continuation of border cooperation between Iran and the Kurdistan region of this region. It is necessary to pay attention to this issue, as the Kurds can be effective in the geopolitical future of the region and can be used as a force for the political balance of the region. The methodology of the present study is based on a positive paradigm and a quantitative method and seeks to identify the most important factors and variables affecting the continuation of border cooperation between the Iraqi Kurdistan region and Iran. For this purpose, the most important factors affecting the continuity of cross-border cooperation in 6 dimensions (territorial, geopolitical, political, social and cultural, economic and defense-military) were selected. The field findings of the present study, which were taken from the opinions of elites and experts related to border issues, showed that the 6 variables of natural border continuity between two countries, ideologies and strategies of two neighboring countries, common border resources, common language between residents Border crossings, international terrorism, etc. are among the most important variables affecting the stability of border cooperation between the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran. Finally, it can be said that in order to improve the cooperation between the two regions, strategies and policies should be developed in accordance with the conditions of both regions in order to achieve stability in border cooperation and improve the situation in the region