Kurdish question has turned into one of the most decisive issues in the Middle East and its impacts are felt in some regional countries, including Syria and Iraq. To shed more light on the issue Kurdpress hold an interview with Dr. Chris Houston who believes Kurdish issue in Turkey can be solved and settled easily but different governments in the country are unwilling to solve it, stressing that the powerful presence of Kemalists and Turkey Nationalists, governments’ unwilling and using the Kurdish issue for achieving government goals as well as the lack of any change in Turkey government structure are the most important elements that prevent Ankara from finding a solution to the question.

Dr. Houston, an Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology of the university, noted that by decreasing the power of the central government, giving the responsibilities of some special regions to minorities and taking some other steps will bring an end to the Kurdish question in Turkey.

What follows is his full answers to Kurdpress questions;

Turkey’s today is different from that one before the failed coup attempt; there is an economic crisis, she is in a quagmire in Syria and the U.S has imposed sanctions, why?

Turkey's situation, like any country, goes through changes, and its sometimes hard to know which changes are insignificant and which ones herald something a bit more permanent. The economic 'crisis' for example will be temporary, in the sense that its not a crisis for everyone anyway, and that the Government has various means of dealing with some of its worst consequences. And capitalist economies always go back and forth into 'crisis.' The same applies to foreign policy. Most likely - but nothing is certain in Turkey - the AKP Government will send its armed forces into Rojava. If successful there in 'scattering' the Kurdish forces, one imagines the Government will maintain those areas as so-called 'buffer zones' in and against Syria. US sanctions are impermanent.

The failed coup attempt seems a bit different however. It has allowed the AKP to call and win a referendum on major constitutional change (held under emergency law as in 1982), which will have permanent effects on Turkish civil society, political parties, and democratic possibilities.

Why governments in Turkey are unable solve the Kurdish question?

Very simply, Turkish governments do not want to solve it. It is useful for whatever Govt is in power to have a situation of emergency in some part of the country. Then it can put into operation whatever the constitutional definitions of emergency law are when 'needed.' But secondly, and beyond pragmatic politics, Turkish nationalism is an obstacle to any form of multiculturalism, minority ethnic rights, or federate system.

How do you describe the Kurdish question in Turkey?

The Kurdish question is described through a range of languages. Its reflects a lack of democracy in Turkey. It is related to the Turkish nationalist chauvinism of Kemalism. It is a problem related to the lack of a federative administrative and governance structure in Turkey, unlike say in Australia, the US, or Germany, all nation-states with internal state-government systems, where those states have certain constitutional rights and responsibilities for governing. Turkey has a central, very powerful government/state/administration, and then councils.

Ankara and Erdogan solve the Kurdish problem forever by attacking Kurdish groups inside Turkey and outside of the country like Qandil and Rojava?

Of course not.

How the Kurdish problem in Turkey can be solved?

Through a recognition of minority rights; and through a decentralization of Government and state powers that allows specified regions forms of duties, rights, and responsibilities, including the right to certain types of tax revenues. The Kurdish 'problem' is easily solved in Turkey, if any Government had the will to do so. There are many different examples of organizing multicultural societies in the world today.

Can Kurds in Syria reach an agreement with Bashar al Assad?

I don't know. Once Assad gains control again over Syria, the question will be what sort of new or old policies will he pursue to re-build the country, reward his supporters, and re-assert a central dominance.

How do you access the United States and Russia’s policy towards the Kurds?

Russia and the US are powerful military states that use their foreign policy to advantage their own state interests, and the interests of their businesses. Put in that way, their policy towards Kurds - although I don't what Kurds you mean here - will follow their own interests.

Will the U.S abandon Kurds in Syria?

If you mean, will they pack up and go home, as they should - as all foreign powers should - probably. I don't think abandonment is the right word here, or at least it’s an emotive term to describe a 'real-politics' relationship.

Reporter’s code: 40101