Turkish Cultural Diplomacy in Iraq with the Approach of Turkish Neo-Ottomanism and Nationalism (2003-2018)

The study of Turkish cultural diplomacy in Iraq depends on understanding the country's new foreign policy perspective on the Middle East. The Turkish government sought to establish itself as a trans-regional strategic player in the context of neo-Ottomanism and a unified Turkish identity in the form of nationalism by raising the issue of zero conflict and improving relations with the surviving countries of the former Ottoman Empire. Although recent developments in Turkish domestic politics, as well as the Arab Spring and its aftermath, have somewhat obscured Turkish foreign policy, the country remains committed to the cultural diplomacy that results from this approach. In this context, Iraq is of strategic importance as the most important way for Turkey to enter the Middle East. Accordingly, the main question of the article is "What are the most important components of Turkish cultural diplomacy in Iraq and to what extent has it been influenced by Turkish nationalism and neo-Ottomanism?" In response, the hypothesis is that Turkey focuses on its cultural structures and tools such as the Turkish media, films and series, Turkish language and literature, cultural-religious ties with the Iraqi people in the form of a neo-Ottomanist discourse, and strong ties with the Turkmen in the form of Unified identity and Turkish nationalism have been able to create deep spheres of influence in Iraq. The research method in this article is based on case-based qualitative research and based on documentary method with collection and analysis of information and data.