Regional implications of PKK's truce with Turkey

[explorer9]

Although the peace between the Turkish government and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) still has many internal challenges and obstacles on the path ahead, so far both the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and the PKK seem to be fully committed to the signing of a peace agreement that will have far-reaching consequences for Turkey and beyond. If peace prevails, everybody stands to gain something -- except Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Ongoing Crisis in Syria and Iraq where Kurds are in significant numbers and living in almost sovereign environment ( thanks to the foreign invasion & Civil war) and offcourse Iran where another affiliate of PKK , the PJAK has escalated its activities inside Iran, it remain to be seen the future of Turkish-Kurdish Bonhomie and its implication in the region.

expecting quality contribution from fellow forumers...

 

[SianClaire]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum - so here goes!

The 'Kurdish question' challenges the existing System of States in the Middle East.
In post-Saddam Iraq the Kurdish population have already established a semi-autonomous region, and in Syria Assad has lost control of Kurdish areas (who are trying to exploit the weakness in central control from Damascus in order to become more autonomous).

Turkey is also preparing for entry into the European Union, meaning that a process of democratisation is underway, and the existence of the Kurds is no longer being denied.

Would it be fair to guess that current events in the Middle East will result in the creation of new borders, states and even regimes? I believe that is a fair assertion.

 

[explorer9]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum - so here goes!

The 'Kurdish question' challenges the existing System of States in the Middle East.
In post-Saddam Iraq the Kurdish population have already established a semi-autonomous region, and in Syria Assad has lost control of Kurdish areas (who are trying to exploit the weakness in central control from Damascus in order to become more autonomous).

Turkey is also preparing for entry into the European Union, meaning that a process of democratisation is underway, and the existence of the Kurds is no longer being denied.

Would it be fair to guess that current events in the Middle East will result in the creation of new borders, states and even regimes? I believe that is a fair assertion.

Certainly it challenges the existing system of nation state in the broad region. PKK in Turkey, PJAK in Iran and PYD in Syria are ideologically alike and regard Abdullah Ojalan as their leader. But the most stable region governed by Kurds themselves is autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government in Nortern Iraq where already many political players vying for power namely, Barzani, Talabani , IUK etc and they feel threatened by the influence of Ojalan and PKK on their political fold especially Barzani whom PKK supported in Last presidential elections.

What I see is that Turkey in general and Erdogan in Particular eying for big brother role for Kurdish political forces. If Erdogan succeeds in folding the Turks in his side as social/political block then the borders in the region will shift in less than expected time.

Kurdish Scholar Othman Ali noted down in his recently published Monograph that no one in the region is happy with the Turkish-Kurdish peace process and feel threatened if this process gets succeeded as desired by Erdogan. Broader Turkish – Kurdish alliance will set the new course in the region.

[Mod edit: To help explorer9 improve his memory, the Mod Team hereby presents a 7-day break from posting to him; with a promise of a longer break from posting should he forget again.]

 

[Bonza]

Guys, we have expressly stated numerous times that discussions on these boards be restricted to those of a military nature, not a political one. Explorer, you in particular have been reminded of this only recently. Please refrain from violating this rule as it wastes everyone's time, including your own, as such discussions will be closed.