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Blood Borders: Expanding the Empire
Abstract
The persecution and scapegoating of ethnic and religious minorities in Turkey are not recent and have been present throughout its history. However, this persecution has reached new heights under Erdogan's rule, particularly towards the Kurdish communities. The Justice and Ruling Party (AKP), led by Erdogan, has employed anti-terrorism laws broadly to target the Kurds, and Erdogan's speeches intentionally exacerbate discrimination against them. Erdogan's actions are part of his strategy to promote nationalism and suppress alternative narratives, with the Kurdish minority serving as a convenient "security problem" to rally nationalist sentiment around. The Turkish military offensive against Kurdish militias in Northern Syria and the ongoing conflict in Syria have fueled national fervor, leading to increased discrimination against the Kurds in Turkey and general support to eradicate the Kurdish presence in Northern Syria. Erdogan's systematic and institutionalized practices, involving media and party apparatus, aim to create a homogeneous Turkish Sunni-Muslim society and erase the culture and heritage of the Kurdish communities in Turkey and Syria. This paper analyzes Erdogan's policies toward the Kurdish minority in Turkey and Northern Syria, including his role in annexing and the Turkification of the Northern region of Syria. For him, this zone addresses the Syrian refugee crisis, supports the Syrian opposition, and reinforces the presence of Sunni Islam. This paper will also assess the role of media outlets and government reports in perpetuating the Turkish government's intimidation tactics toward the Kurds, ultimately serving Erdogan's ambitions in the region.
Discipline
Political Science
Geographic Area
Syria
Turkey
Sub Area
None