KURDS IN THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE

[Anthea]

KURDS IN THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE 17 - 18 November 2012

The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

The Middle East is undergoing a historic process of change and transformation. While the media and academic interest has predominantly focussed on the ‘Arab Spring’, the role of the Kurds in the process of this change has been insufficiently analysed. The Kurds are emerging as an actor in the region with the potential to challenge the existing order. This conference seeks to explore the position and the role of the Kurds during this critical period.

The establishment of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in 2003 together with the recent events in Northern Syria (Western Kurdistan) have greatly enhanced the significance of the Kurds. The main challenge to the existing political order, however, has been presented by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Almost three decades have passed since conflict and political violence erupted in Turkey’s Kurdish regions. The conflict has cost the lives of 40,000 people (including soldiers, guerrillas and the civilians). According to estimates made by Turkish and international human rights organisations, between 2 and 3 million people were internally displaced as part of the state’s counter-offensive operations.

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