The Challenges of Sustaining Peace: Kurdish Conflict in Turkey 

Dr Recep Onursal, University of Kent

This lecture offers a critical examination of the Kurdish conflict in Turkey, one of the world’s most enduring political conflicts. Situating the conflict within its broader historical and socio-political contexts, the lecture interrogates the reasons behind its persistence and the barriers that have kept it unresolved for decades. Drawing on core theories of conflict resolution and transformation, we will dissect the interplay of state policies, hegemonic struggles, and identity-based grievances that have shaped this protracted struggle. Participants will gain insights into how previous peace initiatives have failed—ranging from challenges in negotiation processes to the broader regional dynamics—and explore potential pathways toward its resolution and transformation.