But if he proceeds down his current track, this transformative Turkish leader will forego a truly historic contribution: the potential transformation of Turkey’s enormous Kurdish problem. It is too early to say anything conclusive about the likely denouement. Indeed, this issue is a moveable feast. Last Wednesday, in what seems like a cynical ploy to the liberal gallery, Erdogan agreed with the main opposition-party leader to establish an all-party commission to develop a new approach to the Kurdish issue. That won’t happen: the nationalist leader immediately denounced the effort, and a two-party agreement with the main opposition is highly unlikely. Interviewed later the same day, Erdogan said there is no Kurdish problem in Turkey.

Events and domestic politics will determine what Erdogan does next—but it does not look promising. Too bad for Turkey and its mute American friends.

Morton Abramowitz, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, was American ambassador to Turkey 1989–91.

Image: United Nations Photo