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Strategic Analysis by Ibrahim Kaban
The Turkish nationalist movement, represented by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and its leader Devlet Bahçeli, is one of the most hardline political forces in Turkey regarding the Kurdish issue. This stance stems from deep ideological and historical roots, where Turkish nationalists believe that any recognition of Kurdish national or political rights could undermine the concept of a unified Turkish state. To analyze why the Turkish nationalist movement rejects any solution with the Kurds and what strategies it employs to prevent any rapprochement between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish government, we must examine the political, ideological, and tactical contexts of the movement.
1. History of Nationalist Extremism: The Nationalist Movement Party, led by Devlet Bahçeli, has a long history of extreme nationalism, which opposes any form of autonomy or national rights for the Kurds. The party refuses to recognize Kurdish identity as distinct within Turkey.
2. Hostile Rhetoric: Devlet Bahçeli and the Nationalist Movement frequently use hostile rhetoric towards the Kurds in general and the PKK in particular. This harsh rhetoric increases Kurdish mistrust of the MHP, as they see it as undermining any sincere intention for dialogue or peaceful resolution.
3. Repressive Policies: Turkish governments, including those involving the MHP, have enacted repressive policies against the Kurds, such as banning the Kurdish language in public spaces, imprisoning Kurdish political figures, and military campaigns against the PKK in Kurdish regions. This further heightens suspicion regarding the Nationalist Movement's intentions towards dialogue.
4. Alliance with the AKP: The MHP’s alliance with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has led aggressive military campaigns against Kurds in Turkey and abroad (especially in Syria and Iraq), makes it difficult for Kurds to believe in the MHP’s genuine desire for dialogue.
5. Lack of Political Alternatives: The Nationalist Movement Party has not offered any real political alternatives or tangible solutions to the Kurdish issue within Turkey, focusing instead on strengthening Turkish identity and extreme nationalism.
For these reasons, the Kurds view the MHP’s calls for dialogue as insincere or tactical maneuvers rather than a genuine effort to resolve the Kurdish issue.
Nationalist Ideology and Fear of State Fragmentation
The Turkish nationalist movement embraces a strict nationalist doctrine rooted in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s ideas of national unity. According to this ideology, the Turkish state is an indivisible entity, and all peoples living within its borders must be part of the "Turkish nation." The Kurds, as the largest ethnic minority in Turkey, face total rejection of their recognition as an independent national entity. Turkish nationalists view any political solution that grants rights to the Kurds as potentially leading to the division of Turkey or the creation of a separate Kurdish state on its soil, which is seen as a threat to national security.
The nationalist movement does not perceive Kurds as a group deserving national rights, but rather considers any Kurdish demands a form of "rebellion" or a threat to national unity. This viewpoint makes it almost impossible for the Turkish nationalist movement to adopt any political solutions involving dialogue or negotiation with the PKK, which it views as a terrorist organization aiming to divide the country.
Rejection of Dialogue and Escalation Strategy
The nationalist movement firmly rejects any dialogue with the PKK or even with Kurdish leaders such as Abdullah Öcalan. This strategy is based on the principle that any concession or recognition of the PKK, or even engaging in dialogue with its leaders, is considered a national defeat. The Turkish nationalist movement views negotiations with the Kurds as granting them legitimacy that could lead to larger demands in the future, including autonomy or federalism.
This rejection of dialogue translates into hardline policies adopted by the Turkish nationalist movement in the Turkish parliament and government, where the party consistently opposes any peace initiatives or political solutions. In fact, the nationalist movement constantly pushes for harsher military and security measures against the PKK and against any attempts to reopen dialogue with the Kurds.
Preventing Rapprochement Between the PKK and the Turkish Government
The Turkish nationalist movement is clearly determined to prevent any rapprochement between the Turkish government and the PKK. To achieve this goal, it employs several tactics:
Influence on the Political System: Through its alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the nationalist movement directs Turkish policy toward avoiding negotiations with the Kurds, pressuring the government to reinforce military actions and security repression.
Media and Propaganda Campaigns: The nationalist movement conducts extensive media campaigns aimed at discrediting the PKK and labeling it a terrorist organization that cannot be dealt with. It also seeks to instill nationalist sentiment among Turks, warning them of the dangers of negotiating with "separatists."
Utilization of Security and Judicial Institutions: Turkish security and judicial agencies are employed to target Kurdish activists and politicians, marginalizing any voices that call for dialogue or peace. These policies make it difficult for any government, including Erdoğan’s, to consider negotiating with the PKK.
Is Devlet Bahçeli Serious About Dialogue with the Kurds?
Although Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the nationalist movement, sometimes adopts less rigid rhetoric and leaves the door open for symbolic steps, his political record shows that he is not serious about any real dialogue with the Kurds. Over the years, Bahçeli has been known for his absolute rejection of any settlement with the Kurds, whether through political or military means. His continuous support for military interventions against PKK strongholds in Iraq and Syria, as well as his outright rejection of the peace process initiated between Erdoğan’s government and Öcalan in 2013, reflects the depth of his hardline stance.
One of the reasons Bahçeli occasionally appears more flexible is perhaps his awareness of the importance of popular support, especially in political alliances. However, in the end, he remains committed to the nationalist movement’s stance of rejecting dialogue and negotiation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Turkish nationalist movement, under the leadership of Devlet Bahçeli, is not interested in solving the Kurdish issue through dialogue or negotiation. Its rigid nationalist ideology makes it view any political solution as a threat to the unity of the state. As a result, it continues to pursue policies of hardline opposition and rejection of any rapprochement between the government and the PKK. The strategies it employs include political influence, propaganda campaigns, and the use of security and judicial tools to ensure no rapprochement occurs between the parties.
Bahçeli and his party benefit from the rise of nationalist sentiments in Turkey, and thus any step toward dialogue with the Kurds could weaken his political standing and lose him part of his popular base, making him steadfast in his complete refusal of any negotiated solutions.
