In Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, central governments historically pursued mono-nationalist ideologies and repressed Kurdish identity. As evidenced by much unrest and a great many Kurdish revolts in all these states since the 1920s, however, the Kurds manifested strong resistance towards ethnic chauvinism. What sorts of authoritarian state policies have Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria relied on to contain the Kurds over the years? Can meaningful democratization and liberalization in any of these states occur without a fundamental change vis-à-vis their Kurdish minorities? To what extent does the Kurdish issue function as both a barrier and key to democratization in four of the most important states of the Middle East? While many commentators on the Middle East stress the importance of resolving the Arab-Israeli dispute for achieving 'peace in the Middle East,' this book asks whether or not the often overlooked Kurdish issue may constitute a more important fulcrum for change in the region, especially in light of the 'Arab Spring' and recent changes in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

'Leading experts on contemporary Kurdish affairs bring us up to date on the prospects for democracy and peace for Kurds and the states in which they principally reside. With sensitivity to the cultures and histories of the Middle East, essays closely analyze developments inside each country and in transnational Kurdish interactions. Truly comparative and theoretically informed by the larger scholarly literature, this collection is a valuable resource for scholars interested in comparative ethnic politics, nationalism and self-determination, democratization, civil war, and civil peace.'

- Philip G. Roeder, University of California, USA