The campaign for an independent Kurdish state by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been termed Turkey's number one headache. While the PKK's attacks against the Turkish army have bolstered Turkish nationalism, Turkey's image has been tainted by its response to these assaults. In addition, Turkey's failure to resolve the issue with the Kurds has hindered the development of its democracy. Recent statements by the Turkish army and government as well as responses from Kurdish political leaders and the PKK have made the potential for a compromise appear more realistic. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, acknowledged that "mistakes" have been made in dealing with the Kurds, and Ahmet Turk, the leader of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) outlined that non-violent measures should be used to develop a democratic solution to the Kurdish problem. This brief examines the steps necessary for both sides to come to a peaceful solution.