Abstract:

Reconciliation Process (2013-2015) is the most systematic and comprehensive initiative during the Republican history to find a sustainable solution to Turkey’s century old “Kurdish Question”. Reconciliation Process is characterized as a peace process in this study. Reconciliation Process came to an end after the PKK’s attacks to Turkish security forces in July 2015. This study examines the reasons behind the failure of the Reconciliation Process and discusses the means to overcome the stalemate situation. Political decisions and preferences of the “Kurdish Movement”; changing power dynamics between the main counterparts of the process; the opportunities that the ongoing civil war in Syria provided the “Kurdish Movement” and the ambiguities that the Syrian Civil War generated for the Turkish authorities are cited as the main shortcomings that derailed the Process. This study argues the current situation is a stalemate within the Process. Possible steps and conditions too revitalize the Process are discussed.

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