Kurdish enclaves and the state of their affairs in the Middle East

Abstract

Introduction. The Kurdish issue in the territory of the modern Middle East is still a hotbed of confrontation between several states and ethnic groups, having a significant impact on the geopolitical situation in the region. The problem of Kurdish self-determination has become increasingly urgent in recent years due to the ongoing desire of this people for selfdetermination, which manifests itself both in political demands and in armed struggle. The tense situation is aggravated by the relatively different situation of the Kurdish minorities in Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran, where each country pursues its own special policy towards the Kurdish population.

Materials and methods. The study uses methods of comparative analysis, historical and political retrospection, and the historical and genetic method.

Analysis. The scrutiny of the situation of the Kurds in Syria shows that, despite gaining autonomy during the civil war, their future remains uncertain due to Turkey’s opposition and dependence on external players such as the United States and Russia. In Turkey, the Kurdish issue remains a key challenge to national security, as Ankara considers any attempts at self-determination of the Kurds as a threat to territorial integrity, which leads to harsh repressive measures. In Iran, Kurds, despite partial recognition of their cultural rights, face systemic discrimination, and their desire for autonomy is suppressed by authorities who fear destabilization of the country. Iraqi Kurdistan, which has formal autonomy, is facing economic and political difficulties, including conflicts with Baghdad over the distribution of oil revenues and external pressure from Turkey. The prospects for resolving the Kurdish issue are complicated by the conflicting interests of regional and global players, which makes the creation of a unified Kurdistan region unlikely in the near future.

Results. The study reveals the need to find compromise solutions, including the expansion of cultural autonomy and economic development of the Kurdish regions, to reduce tensions in the Middle East. The article characterizes the current situation of the Kurds in each of the listed countries, as well as analyzes the prospects for the development of the Kurdish issue in the near future.