Erdogan Considers the Kurdish Question: The PKK ceasefire and the Kurdish future in Turkey

Erdogan Considers the Kurdish Question: The PKK ceasefire and the Kurdish future in Turkey

Author: The New Arab August 9, 2025 Duration: 36:53

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent ceasefire agreement between the PKK and the Turkish state. 

The Kurdistan’s Worker’s Party (PKK) and the Turkish state have been in a state of conflict since 1984. The conflict has killed over 35,000 people and achieved little, for either side. 

But now, a ceasefire has been announced. In a symbolic ceremony, PKK fighters burnt their arms in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq; and more recently, a commission was started at the Turkish Parliament to discuss the Turkish parliament. 

Is this the opportunity for Kurds to secure their rights in Turkey? Why is the Turkish state agreeing to a ceasefire now? Is President Erdogan using the ceasefire talks to increase his grip on power?

Joining us to examine the Kurdish position, we speak with Dr. Salim Çevik (@salimcevikk), a visiting fellow at the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (@CATS_Network) at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (@SWPBerlin).

And to guide us through Turkish thinking, we speak with Henri Barkey (@hbarkey), adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) and the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University (Emeritus) (@LehighU). 

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil with additional music from Audio Network.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com


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From a London newsroom, The New Arab Voice reaches across continents, offering a distinct perspective on events and ideas shaping communities from the Middle East and North Africa to Asia and global diasporas. This isn't just a headlines recap. Each episode weaves together rigorous news analysis, cultural insight, and historical context, treating complex political shifts and societal transformations with the depth they deserve. You'll hear from people living the stories-artists, analysts, and everyday voices-providing a nuanced understanding that moves beyond simplistic narratives. The podcast reflects the rich tapestry of the regions it covers, finding the connections between past and present, policy and personal experience. For listeners seeking to move past soundbites and explore the interplay of power, identity, and heritage, The New Arab Voice provides essential listening. It’s where current affairs meet deep storytelling, all grounded in the extensive journalistic tradition of The New Arab. Tune in for conversations that challenge assumptions and illuminate the underreported, fostering a more informed and engaged perspective on a dynamic part of the world.
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