Turkish Terrorism Studies: A Preliminary Assessment (original) (raw)
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This research aims to reveal the main trends, resources and theoretical foundations in the doctoral dissertations written on terrorism in Turkey from the 1980s to the present day. By mapping the terrorism studies conducted in Turkey in doctoral dissertations, it is not only attempted to find out where they are located in mainstream terrorism studies, but also it is tried to determine what the fundamental deficiencies are. To this end, we tried to uncover which researchers and publications are cited most frequently, and which are not, by the doctoral researchers in the scope of our research. Thus, it is hoped that it will eventually lead to the elimination of these deficiencies.
An Evaluation of Ph.D. Dissertations on Terrorism Studies in Turkey
This research aims to reveal the main trends, resources and theoretical foundations in the doctoral dissertations written on terrorism in Turkey from the 1980s to the present day. By mapping the terrorism studies conducted in Turkey in doctoral dissertations, it is not only attempted to find out where they are located in mainstream terrorism studies, but also it is tried to determine what the fundamental deficiencies are. To this end, we tried to uncover which researchers and publications are cited most frequently, and which are not, by the doctoral researchers in the scope of our research. Thus, it is hoped that it will eventually lead to the elimination of these deficiencies.
Contemporary Terrorism Studies: Issues in Research
Critical Terrorism Studies: A New Research Agenda, 2009
The aim of this chapter is to provide a general review of research published in the core terrorism studies journals between 1990 and 2007. As such, this chapter seeks to build on a long history of past reviews and assessments of the literature which have attempted at various points to assess the state of the art on this subject. Terrorism has never been an easy subject to study or research. In particular, relentless (and ongoing) conceptual and definitional disagreements, a shortage of experienced researchers, and a general lack of funding for studies have all presented formidable obstacles. Indeed, in the 1990s, there were probably only about 100 researchers across the world researching and writing on terrorism on a regular basis. One consequence of such an environment is that studies which are expensive in terms of funds or time have been scarce as the resources have not been present to carry them out. This has hindered the progression of the field and much work is simply rehashing old data or providing primarily descriptive or exploratory analysis. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, interest in - and funding for – terrorism related research has increased enormously. The number of researchers both in terms of postgraduate students and more established professionals has increased enormously. Thus, this review hopes to shed light on what are the key issues in the core journals in a post-9/11 world and whether there are any indications that old problems and limitations are as prevalent as in the past.
Turkish support to jihadists is not merely a tactic aimed at removing Assad from power. It stems from a strategic decision on the part of Turkish authorities to influence Middle East affairs through non-state actors, much as Iran has been doing for some time. Turkey’s support of jihadists transiting into Syria and its establishment of close ties with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood are joint aspects of this strategy. Turkish authorities have permitted Al Qaeda sympathizers to use pro- government media to promote their beliefs. The authorities have adopted a new political language that fuels anti-American and anti- Western sentiments. Prosecutors who have attempted to prevent shipments of weapons to Al Qaeda–affiliated groups in Syria have been fired and in some cases incarcerated. Indeed, by now Turkish prosecutors and the Turkish National Police are thoroughly intimidated. Not a single counterterror operation has been launched to disrupt Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)’s networks or recruitment activities. The Turkish National Intelligence Organization has been given full responsibility to deal with jihadist activities, without any active oversight, and the police are loath to venture into their territory. As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Turkey’s jihadi policies have direct and indirect impact on Western security. This article examines Turkey’s jihadi policies by examining official statements, media reports, interviews, and fieldwork.
The Evolution and perspectives of the terrorism academic Research
This article examines the research methods and techniques used in academic research papers related to terrorism. This is done through an extensive review and analysis of one thousand five hundred (1,500) research papers that were published in twenty different journals within 30-years period (1990-2020). It has been observed that during the course of time, these academic papers kept a constant transformation of research methods and techniques. But with the advancement of other techniques it also requires use of various new quantitative and qualitative frameworks for the analysis to facilitate the explanation of the complex and dynamic behavior of terrorism. Finally, this research proposes a new research field entitled terrorismology.
Promise and pitfalls of terrorism research
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Using a database of recent articles published in prominent political science journals, we show the rapid increase in terrorism research. Given this increased awareness and attention, we identify several problems that still plague the study of political terrorism including definitional problems that lack empirical tests, not distinguishing among different types of terrorism, and using the wrong unit of analysis when designing research.
Challenges of Terrorism Studies and Main Constraints for Researchers
The term terrorism not only describes the actions of ‘bad’ people. The term is more extensive than that. It is documented that terrorists commit crimes such as kidnapping, murdering, arson, drug trafficking, and there are no limits to carrying out these actions. Even under war conditions, while related parties may conduct themselves according to the rules of law in some circumstances, and may recognize zones of neutral territory, for terrorists there is no neutral territory, no non combatants, no bystanders, and they can attack and destroy anything they please, regardless of the law. The purpose of this study was to try and understand the major challenges within terrorism studies for scholars and the emerging field of experts and practitioners. It was observed that particularly as regards the conceptual framework of terrorism studies, no common ground exists in order to formulate an international consensus. In this respect there is debate about whether the current related variables of terrorism as a concept result in different perceptions by governments or non-governmental organizations. Also criticized is the issue of whether there are different categories of obstacles or constraints to the development of knowledge in terrorism studies.