Working Paper 33/2013 authored by Junior Research Associate at ELIAMEP Mr Pantelis Touloumakos, analyses the Kurdish issue and its impact on Turkey’s internal and external policies. Besides the loss of thousands of human lives, as a consequence of the clash between Turkish security forces and PKK militants, the Kurdish issue has broader political, social and economic consequences. The impact of the Kurdish issue on Turkey’s international relations is examined as well; in this context, special emphasis has been given on the way the Kurdish issue affects Turkey’s politic and diplomatic relations with Iraq,Iran and Syria.