The evolution of the Kurdish conflict and future perspectives for autonomy discussions in Turkey: the example of Basque Country

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze and to show the evolution of Kurdish conflict issue from the political history perspective and to help to contribute to the discussions in Turkish media on the autonomy models such as in Basque Country. From that perspective, Ottoman period and early Republican period are studied in the first phase in order to give historical background and to provide the state‟s perception. In the second phase the appearance of PKK terrorist organization and its impact on Turkey‟s internal and external dynamics are analyzed by also referring to Turkey-European Union relations. In order to help to understand the current autonomy discussions in Turkish political arena, Basque Country is examined on the last part just to give a brief idea on its roots and its evolution since 19th century.