Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, tensions between the Kurds and the state were evident. As the Republic of Türkiye developed, a strong sense of nationalism swept the country, leading to the oppression of many non-Turkish elements of society. Through this oppression we see attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to gain Kurdish autonomy with the subsequent development of the PKK in 1978. With the first armed attack against Turkish soldiers in 1984 we see the issue accelerate and become more serious. The Kurdish problem has caused the deaths of approximately 35,000 people, displaced even more, and created economic and political problems not only nationally, but also internationally. As it has become one of Turkey's most important security issues, there have been peace attempts on multiple occasions, but so far they have been futile. This essay attempts to address various aspects of the Kurdish problem; the internal implications that the Kurdish problem has created, such as the political disorder that develops when discussing the creation of pro-Kurdish parties, their opposition and their inability to have any form of success within the government. The “terrorism problem”. The economic impact associated with the regions most closely linked to the Kurdish people. International implications affecting Turkey, its neighbors and the United States. Syria and Iraq are essential to discuss when addressing the Kurdish problem because they add broader context to an issue that spans the borders of multiple states. Furthermore, this essay will conclude with a discussion on attempts to resolve the decade-long dilemma, such as recent developments, expectations of both sides, and prospects for the future. Successive Turkish governments have been ... middle of paper ... .... power with Kurdish nationalists even at the local level.” (Tezcür, 2013) The greatest fear that the peace process will not succeed is due to the Kurds' insistence on an official status rather than democratic reforms, which would preserve the Kurdish identity. As the world saw, once the PKK was able to exploit an opportunity such as crossing the border, the Turkish government did not hesitate to crack down on its political rivals. If the Kurdish movement does not set reasonable objectives, the process will once again run the risk of reaching a stalemate. “While the whole society must play its part in the peace process, the most important role lies with the negotiating parties, namely the state and the Kurdish political movement. In particular, key actors must keep in mind the memory of society rather than themselves and their constituency.” (Ensaroglu, 2013)