Research Article

The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy

Volume: 81 Number: 3 September 14, 2026
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The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy

Abstract

This paper contributes the foreign policy analysis research elaborating the relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (the KRG) and the Gulf states. Notably, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar have rising relations with the KRG. . A primary question is central to this analysis: How do these actors (the KRG and Gulf states) propose their alliances amid the bigger picture of Middle East affairs? As an answer to this inquiry, the research defines this diplomatic endeavour among a sub-state actor and other regional powers as micro-regional paradiplomacy. These actors are part of an emerging micro-regional paradiplomacy with the KRG’s role conception of regional-subsystem collaborator. The emerging role conceptions can bring further role adaptations for the KRG and the Gulf states to strengthen their actorness in the Middle East, despite potential role contestations

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Politics

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 9, 2026

Publication Date

September 14, 2026

Submission Date

June 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 81 Number: 3

APA
Dogan Akkas, B. (2026). The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, 81(3), 601-620. https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1974891
AMA
1.Dogan Akkas B. The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy. SBF Dergisi. 2026;81(3):601-620. doi:10.33630/ausbf.1974891
Chicago
Dogan Akkas, Betul. 2026. “The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi 81 (3): 601-20. https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1974891.
EndNote
Dogan Akkas B (September 1, 2026) The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi 81 3 601–620.
IEEE
[1]B. Dogan Akkas, “The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy”, SBF Dergisi, vol. 81, no. 3, pp. 601–620, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.33630/ausbf.1974891.
ISNAD
Dogan Akkas, Betul. “The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi 81/3 (September 1, 2026): 601-620. https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1974891.
JAMA
1.Dogan Akkas B. The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy. SBF Dergisi. 2026;81:601–620.
MLA
Dogan Akkas, Betul. “The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, vol. 81, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 601-20, doi:10.33630/ausbf.1974891.
Vancouver
1.Betul Dogan Akkas. The KRG-Gulf Relations: Regional-Subsystem Collaboration in an Emerging Micro-Regional Paradiplomacy. SBF Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;81(3):601-20. doi:10.33630/ausbf.1974891