The Kurdish Question in the Context of Turkish-American Relations.

The aim of this paper is to examine the Kurdish Question in Turkey and its effects on Turkish- American relations. It seeks to explain how this problem shapes the policy decisions and the consequences of these policies in domestic and foreign affairs of the two countries. Erupting as a domestic problem in Turkey in the mid-1980s, the Kurdish Question has not only become an important issue in Turkey but after the invasion and destabilization of Iraq, it has gained an aspect which has a potential to change the fundamental relationship between Turkey and the United States. This concept is supported by the fact that an independent Kurdish state is considered casus belli by Turkey, and that it is now overwhelmingly believed in Ankara that the Kurdish desire to become independent received a great deal of acceptance in American decision making circles. The relations are strained at times due to the lack of mutual perception of the issue and action\reaction mechanism between two NATO allies. Under these conditions, the paper will be adressing possible outcomes of this distinct relationship. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]