Sbey Research Center hosted a thought-provoking international webinar examining the evolving trajectory of the Kurdish question in Türkiye. With the participation of two prominent international scholars, the webinar provided a historically grounded exploration of how the Kurdish question has developed and transformed from 1918 to 2025. It traced the impact of shifting internal dynamics, regional alignments, and global political equations on both the nature of the Kurdish issue and Türkiye’s responses to it. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the current peace process, particularly the PKK’s decision to disband, a potential turning point in Türkiye’s long standing conflict. The webinar also assessed how regional and international dynamics, especially the involvement of the United States, continue to shape the prospects for a sustainable resolution to the Kurdish question.
One of the central themes discussed was the role of external factors following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and how the resulting geopolitical shifts have influenced Türkiye’s approach. The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the rise of Ahmed Sharaa, who initiated negotiations with the SDF on Kurdish rights in Syrian Kurdish regions, marked a dramatic transformation in the region. These changes, coupled with new regional calculations, have directly affected Türkiye’s stance toward the ongoing peace process with the PKK. The webinar offered a timely and in depth analysis of whether this moment presents a genuine opportunity for Türkiye to finally resolve one of its most enduring and complex national issues.
The webinar covered a broad range of interconnected themes, beginning with the historical roots of the Kurdish question across Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Türkiye. A particular focus was placed on Türkiye’s longstanding response to the issue and the ways in which its approach has evolved over time. Key political shifts were discussed, including the surprising change in stance by Türkiye’s nationalist party CHP and its leader Devlet Bahçeli, as well as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s position regarding a possible resolution. The webinar also examined how the Turkish state has responded to ongoing peace process efforts, considering both the political landscape and public sentiment. Another major topic was the future of the Kurdish question in Türkiye in light of recent developments in the Middle East, especially the October 7 attacks and their ripple effects across the region. These geopolitical shifts have significantly altered the balance of power and raised new questions about how they may influence Türkiye PKK peace discussions.
Throughout the discussion, scholars and the moderator took a comprehensive approach, examining the Kurdish issue from historical, social, and political perspectives. They analyzed the key factors necessary for a successful resolution and the internal and external challenges that continue to shape the process. Special attention was given to the regional dynamics involving Iran, Syria, and Iraq each playing a role in either supporting or complicating potential solutions. The role of global powers, particularly Israel and the United States, was also debated, both in terms of their actual involvement and their strategic interests. Finally, the webinar explored how emerging political developments and rising regional tensions might influence the peace process moving forward, offering a nuanced view of what the future could hold for resolving the Kurdish question in Türkiye.
On Jun 10, 2025 the Turkish Studies Unit of Sbey Research Center hosted an insightful international webinar titled; The Future of the Kurdish Question in Turkey following the PKK's Decision to Disband.
The keynote speakers of the webinar brought diverse academic and professional expertise to the discussion. Among them was; Prof. Mesut Yeğen, a renowned writer, scholar, and professor of sociology, widely recognized for his extensive work on the Kurdish question. He was joined by Binar FK, an alumnus of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame (Class of 2025), and a recipient of the prestigious Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies Fellowship.
The session was moderated by Dr. Kardo Rached, an Associate Professor and lecturer at the University of Human Development in Sulaimani, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Dr. Rached also serves as the assistant head of the university’s Department of Diplomacy, bringing both academic and diplomatic insight to the role. The webinar was co-hosted by Angel George, a researcher at Sbey Research Center. A distinguished graduate in International Relations from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, she was also the Valedictorian of her class.
Historical Layers of the Kurdish Question in Today’s Geopolitics
The webinar started with presentation of Prof. Mesut Yeğen. He emphasized that just days before October 1, 2024 when MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party’s Tuncer Bakırhan, no one anticipated a new peace initiative. Until that moment, the Turkish state believed the Kurdish question had been “solved,” citing military gains in Rojava and political containment of Kurdish influence domestically. However, Yeğen argued that a seismic shift came after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which altered the geopolitical balance and forced Ankara to reassess its strategy. “With Iran weakened, Turkey realized it could no longer manage Kurdish dynamics in Syria and Iraq alone,” he said. This regional disruption, he argued, was the primary trigger for the state’s renewed interest in a political solution with the PKK.
Yeğen framed the Kurdish question through two historical phases: pre 1991 and post 1991. In the first phase, states like Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria assimilated Kurds with relative ease under Western tolerance. But after 1991, Kurds in Iraq gained autonomy, and Syrian Kurds later established de facto self rule. This balance, however, collapsed after October 7. “The resistance axis crumbled, and Turkey faced two options: take Iran’s role or reach a consensus with the Kurds,” Yeğen explained. Choosing dialogue over costly conflict, Ankara began tentative steps toward peace. But the process, he warned, is delicate. While “PKK militants are laying down arms,” Turkish political and legal systems haven’t yet adapted to ensure safe reintegration or amnesty. “Without legal guarantees, disarmed fighters are left in limbo,” he said, referring to the upcoming ceremony in Jasana cave where militants would disarm but remain unable to return home.
Yeğen expressed cautious optimism but flagged serious domestic obstacles. “Erdogan is trying to do two things at once, stay in power beyond 2028 and democratize just enough to enable the peace process,” he said. Meanwhile, steps like forming a parliamentary commission on reintegration laws lag behind the PKK’s pace. As Yeğen concluded, the peace process remains fragile, but “if Erdogan’s Saturday speech delivers concrete steps, there’s still a chance for meaningful progress.”
The Domino Effect of October 7; How Regional Collapse Created Space for Peace
Then Binar FK started its presentation. This is a historic and fragile moment," said Binar during the international the webinar. According to Binar, the Hamas attacks in 2023 sparked “a domino collapse of Iranian regional proxies,” including the military capabilities of both Hamas and Hezbollah. This seismic regional shift, he argued, has put pressure on Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy. President Erdoğan is facing both internal political pressure and external geopolitical shifts, which have created “a transformative time for all stakeholders.” Binar contextualized the current peace process within a historical root, citing previous efforts dating back to 1993, but emphasized that, “right now, we are in a moment that is so different from the previous phases.
Binar pointed to significant developments that signal a shift in longstanding dynamics. “For the first time, Devlet Bahçeli, long considered an obstacle to peace, publicly supports the process”, he noted. Abdullah Öcalan’s February call for PKK disbandment, and Erdoğan’s framing of a “Turkey without terror” further illustrate the stakes. However, Binar stressed that without legal and constitutional reforms, the process risks stalling. “There’s no clear roadmap for amnesty,” he warned, adding that Turkey must address the fate of imprisoned PKK leaders and rank and file fighters. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) plays a crucial intermediary role, with DEM Party delegations already meeting KDP and PKK leaders in the region. “KRG’s role is to help implement this disbandment and support the transition,” he said.
In terms of international support, Binar suggested the U.S. under Donald Trump has a strong incentive to back the process. “Trump wants to be remembered as a President of Peace,” he said, citing American mediation efforts elsewhere. Binar described the Turkish - Kurdish peace process as “state led, regionally anchored, and symbolically public.” He concluded with a broader reflection: “This isn’t just about ending conflict, it’s about identity, inclusion, and coexistence.” The regional collapse of Iran’s influence, the fragmentation of Syria, and the changing geopolitical calculus have cleared the path for Ankara to take bold steps. But he warned that “crafting a future that respects Kurdish cultural and political rights within a democratic Turkey” is essential for the process to succeed. The moment, he emphasized, is both rare and urgent.
The webinar unfolded in two dynamic phases; first, a curated round of insightful questions posed by the moderator, followed by an engaging Q&A session where participants raised their own pressing inquiries. The central theme revolved around the future trajectory of the Kurdish issue in Turkey, a deeply complex and evolving subject. The conversation delved into the potential outcomes of ongoing and future peace process efforts, particularly how these might influence Iraq’s national security, given Turkey’s longstanding military presence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
A major point of discussion was the fate of these Turkish military bases in a post peace process landscape. Would they be dismantled, repurposed, or remain entrenched as strategic footholds? Closely tied to this was the question of the PKK fighters once the armed conflict ceases, where do they go, and what becomes of their cause? The debate extended into the broader issue of Kurdish rights: what shape will they take once the PKK is demobilized, and how will they be protected or contested within Turkey’s political framework?
Adding a geopolitical layer to the discourse, participants questioned whether Israel has a vested interest in the resolution of the Kurdish question in Turkey. If so, how does its existing foreign policy reflect this? What role, if any, might Israel play in influencing the direction of Kurdish rights in the region?
Throughout the session, the speakers tackled these challenging questions with depth and candor, prompting a rich and thought-provoking dialogue that underscored the multifaceted nature of peace, identity, and regional politics in the Middle East.
Conclusion
In a moment marked by historic shifts and fragile hopes, the webinar illuminated the Kurdish question not as a single issue, but as a nexus of identity, geopolitics, and the struggle for coexistence. The disbandment of the PKK may open the door to peace, but without legal clarity, regional cooperation, and political courage, that door may remain only ajar. From Turkey’s internal political recalibrations to the ripple effects of regional upheavals and international interests, the path forward is as complex as it is urgent. What emerged was not just a snapshot of current events, but a call to envision a future where reconciliation is rooted in justice, inclusion, and mutual recognition. Whether that vision materializes now depends on the willingness of all actors, state and society alike to move beyond the shadows of the past.
