Disrupting terrorist networks an analysis of the PKK terrorist organization

Abstract

This study analyzes the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization, an ethno-nationalist separatist terrorist organization that has been operating in Turkey since 1978. Through the lens of the contemporary social movement theory, this thesis attempts to designate and disrupt the key components of the PKK terrorist organization. Ultimately, the study focuses on the "mobilizing structures" component among the three key variables of this theory in order to disrupt the structure of the PKK terrorist organization. First, the study analyzes in detail sources of terrorist financing, such as state sponsorship, illegal activities, legal activities, extortion and the international diaspora, in order to designate the fund-raising assets of the PKK. Next, utilizing geographical information systems (GIS), the study examines the role of geographical safe havens as a mobilization asset in the PKK's armed campaign. The dependence of the PKK's armed campaign on geographical safe havens is spatially and temporally analyzed using data on terrorist incidents in Turkey from 2008 to 2010. Finally, the study concludes with strategic-level policy recommendations that counter the financial and physical structure of the PKK, built in accord with the outcomes of these analyses.