Changing Foreign Policies and the Kurdish Diaspora: A Qualitative Study of the Kurdish diaspora in Sweden During the NATO Process

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the impact of NATO negotiations between Turkey and Sweden on the Kurdish diaspora in Sweden. To address this, this thesis has focused on the key concepts of identity, sense of belonging, integration and relationship with the state. To collect data, the method of semi-structured interviews has been used, which then was analysed using thematic analysis. This revealed that the negotiations have had significant effects on the Kurdish diaspora in Sweden, including feelings of betrayal and fear. This has led to a reinforced Kurdish identity, and decreased feelings of belonging and safety. It has also affected the political participation of the Kurdish community, as some react by becoming more politically engaged while others actively avoid political participation, censoring themselves. The findings emphasize the need for inclusive and sensitive policymaking and more research on the topic is necessary.