From denial to participation: Turkey's evolving discourse on Kurdish nationalism
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Authors
Timmester, Scott K.
Subjects
Turkey
Republic of Turkey
Kurdish
Kurdistan Workers Party
PKK
Terrorism
Islam
Civil-military relations
Neo-Ottoman
AKP
Nationalism
Ethno-nationalism
Republic of Turkey
Kurdish
Kurdistan Workers Party
PKK
Terrorism
Islam
Civil-military relations
Neo-Ottoman
AKP
Nationalism
Ethno-nationalism
Advisors
Gingeras, Ryan
Date of Issue
2013-09
Date
Sep-13
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Kurdish nationalism has been a central issue in domestic Turkish politics since the founding of the republic nearly a century ago. Since 1984, the insurgency waged by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has claimed the lives of over forty thousand citizens on both sides of the conflict. While Ankara has largely attempted to address the Kurdish question via military and security measures, unprecedented negotiations in the last year have raised hopes that a peace settlement may finally be within reach. While some observers are fearful that this round of talks will be yet another failed attempt to end the violence, this thesis seeks to explore whether recent changes in Turkeys social and political landscape have increased the likelihood of a lasting resolution. The research is framed as a historical survey of critical political events and public discourse from prominent politicians and public figures, relying on a mix of primary and secondary sources. This thesis argues that three domestic shifts have indeed helped set the stage for a lasting solution: increased political opportunities for Kurdish activists, the end of military tutelage in security affairs, and the reframing of Turkish nationalism through the assertion of Ottoman-Islamic identity.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.