Evolution and Focus of Terrorism Studies in Türkiye: A Comprehensive Analysis of Academic Literature (1992–2024)

The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution and characteristics of the academic literature on terrorism in Türkiye from 1992 to 2024. The study addresses two main research questions: the distinctive features of terrorism literature in Türkiye and the types of terrorist organizations that have been the focus of this literature, along with temporal changes in these focuses. In this direction, the study used descriptive and dictionary-based analyses on a dataset of 1066 academic publications identified through "Publish or Perish" software, focusing on studies with relevant keywords in Turkish. The descriptive analysis examined publication trends, number of citations, number of authors, and study types, while the dictionary-based analysis identified the most studied terrorist organizations and tracked changes over time. The findings reveal that most studies in this literature, which experienced significant growth after 9/11 and peaked in 2019, received fewer than ten citations. The literature predominantly focuses on organizations like the PKK, with shifting attention to groups like ISIS and FETÖ in recent years. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how terrorism studies in Türkiye have developed and evolved over the last three decades.

LINK: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ijshs/issue/93549/1736233

Understanding the Fear of Terrorism in Türkiye and Taiwan

Abstract 

This study investigates the heightened fear of terrorism in Türkiye and Taiwan, two countries with distinct histories of terrorism yet similar levels of fear, despite differing exposure to terrorist incidents. Utilizing data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, the research employs Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) to examine the effects of various media sources -television, newspapers, and the internet- on fear of terrorism in both countries. The findings indicate that while internet usage increases fear of terrorism in Türkiye, it has no significant effect in Taiwan. Conversely, exposure to television elevates fear of terrorism in Taiwan but not in Türkiye. Furthermore, the study underscores the influence of demographic and sociocultural factors, such as gender and the importance of religion, in shaping perceptions of terrorism. Women in both countries report higher levels of fear, and participants with stronger religious beliefs demonstrate increased fear. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a comparative analysis of two geographically and politically distinct nations, highlighting the role of media and contextual factors in understanding public fear of terrorism. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in developing targeted interventions to address these fears.

Keywords: Taiwan, Türkiye, Fear of Terrorism, Ordinal Logistic Regression.

LINK: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4326872

The Effects of Attitudes Towards Immigrants on Fear of Terrorism in Türkiye

Abstract 

Two prominent subjects in recent years that have captivated the Turkish public are immigration and terrorism. The profound migration crisis in Türkiye, coupled with a surge in terrorism-related crimes, has forged a substantial association between immigrants and terrorism in the perception of many Turkish people. Along these lines, although there are many academic studies of the relationship in Europe between immigrants and the fear of terrorism, the number of academic studies focusing on Türkiye is insufficient. For this reason, in this study, we use the seventh wave of the World Values Survey (WVS) to focus on the statistical relationship between the fear of terrorism and the view of immigrants in Türkiye. As shown by regression analysis, the rise in fear of terrorism in Türkiye also increases negative attitudes towards immigrants. However, since the results based only on the quantitative regression analysis do not provide in-depth information, we support the quantitative results with face-to-face interviews. In line with the results of the regression analysis, in the interviews, we find that one of the critical factors that increased participants' fear of terrorism is the immigrants who came to Türkiye in recent years. 

 Keywords: Immigrants, fear of terrorism, terrorism, Ordinal Logistic Regression, Türkiye

LINK: https://journals.tplondon.com/md/article/view/3519

Soliciting Terror: ISKP Digital Communications and Financing Tactics Through Voice of Khurasan

 Abstract

This study explores the digital strategies employed by the Islamic State's Khorasan Province (ISKP), focusing on its Voice of Khurasan magazine, which serves as a platform for propaganda, fundraising, and communication. Through descriptive and focused analyses of 40 issues, the study identifies ISKP's integration of cryptocurrency, particularly Monero, for anonymous donations, and its innovative use of dual communication platforms, Telegram and Rocket.Chat, to maintain operational secrecy. The research highlights the role of Quranic verses in legitimising donation requests and the shift to decentralized platforms in response to counterterrorism efforts. It underscores the challenges posed by ISKP's digital strategies and calls for enhanced collaboration between governments, technology companies, and blockchain analysts to counter these threats. This multi-disciplinary approach aims to disrupt terrorist networks while balancing privacy and security in the digital age.

LINK: https://gnet-research.org/2024/12/12/soliciting-terror-iskp-digital-communications-and-financing-tactics-through-voice-of-khurasan/

A Hashtag Perspective: Examining ISIS Supporter Activities on Twitter in Türkiye between 2019 and 2022

This study explores the Twitter activities of Turkish supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from 2019 to 2022, focusing on hashtag usage patterns. As a central part of ISIS's online strategy, hashtags are pivotal in disseminating propaganda, coordinating campaigns, and soliciting support. By analyzing 202,327 tweets, this research offers insights into thematic priorities and interconnections within ISIS-related discourse. Employing descriptive and network analyses, key findings reveal a steady increase in ISIS-supportive tweets, the emergence of clusters around aid and familial support, and distinct, unconnected hashtag groups reflecting various narratives. Hashtags related to financial aid, such as #saveprisoners and #elholcamp, emerge as central, highlighting a covert system of funding through social media and encrypted communication. This paper underscores the complexity of ISIS's digital influence in Türkiye, emphasizing the need for multifaceted countermeasures involving tech platforms, security forces, and media awareness campaigns to combat online extremist activities effectively.

LINK: https://gnet-research.org/2024/08/07/a-hashtag-perspective-examining-isis-supporter-activities-on-twitter-in-turkiye-between-2019-and-2022/

Comparative Analysis of the Content of Online Magazines of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Different Languages: Dabiq, Rumiyah, and Konstantiniyye

 Abstract

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) effectively uses online magazines for propaganda, leveraging advanced internet technologies to disseminate its message in multiple languages. This study investigates ISIS's use of online magazines to promote its self-proclaimed jihad and attract recruits globally. While existing research examines ISIS's multilingual magazines, few studies comprehensively compare them across languages. This study conducts a text analysis of Dabiq and Rumiyah in English and Konstantiniyye in Turkish. The findings reveal that all magazines construct distinct “us” versus “them” identities, focusing on religion and justification. Konstantiniyye, targeting Turkish Muslims, emphasizes stronger religious themes compared to Dabiq and Rumiyah. Overall, these magazines discuss legal systems, jihad, state structure, and social order, advocating for Muslim unification under a single “caliphate.” This analysis sheds light on ISIS's diverse propaganda strategies tailored to different linguistic contexts.

Keywords: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS); Dictionary-based Analysis; Dabiq; Rumiyah; Konstantiniyye

LINK:  https://journals.tplondon.com/ipr/article/view/3313

A Hashtag Perspective: Examining ISIS Supporter Activities on Twitter in Türkiye between 2019 and 2022

Recent advancements in social media technologies have significantly impacted both individuals and terrorist organizations. This study examines the Twitter activities of ISIS's Turkish supporters from 2019 to 2022, focusing on the hashtags they used. The study employs a hashtag network analysis to explore the relationships and central themes among the hashtags used in 202,327 tweets by 666 different users. The analysis reveals a central cluster of hashtags related to various forms of aid, particularly financial support, often connected with hashtags like #elholcamp and #yoursisterinprisoncamp, which pertain to families of ISIS members detained in YPG-controlled camps. Additionally, Turkish supporters of ISIS solicit financial aid via Twitter, phone numbers, and Telegram, using religious hadiths to legitimize their efforts. The findings underscore the sophisticated use of social media by ISIS supporters to sustain their activities in Türkiye and beyond, highlighting the need for a multifaceted response involving tech companies, security forces, local communities, and the media. This collaboration is crucial to detect, report, and mitigate the misuse of social media for terrorist purposes and to educate the public about these activities.

LINK: https://gnet-research.org/2024/08/07/a-hashtag-perspective-examining-isis-supporter-activities-on-twitter-in-turkiye-between-2019-and-2022/

The Effects of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Soft-Terrorism Strategies on Turkish Public Opinion Using Google Data

 Abstract

The development of social media and internet technologies has significantly impacted individuals, organizations, and societies. Notably, these advancements have influenced individuals and communities and profoundly affected terrorist organizations. The adept use of these technologies by existing terrorist organizations has had a negative psychological impact on individuals who may not be directly affected by terrorist attacks. The soft-terrorism concept captures this dynamic. This study analyzes Google data to comprehend the influence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), one of the organizations that most effectively employs soft-terrorism strategies, on Turkish public opinion. To gain insights into the Turkish public’s interest in ISIS terrorist attacks and soft-terrorism strategies, Turkish Google searches on “ISIS” between January 2014 and December 2018 are analyzed. The research findings indicate that ISIS’ soft-terrorism strategies have a more significant impact on capturing the attention of the Turkish public compared to the terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS within Turkey. Moreover, ISIS’ soft-terrorist strategies have long-term effects on Turkish interest in ISIS.

LINK: https://iga.pknu.ac.kr:446/html/jga/online-jga.php?mode=view&idx=26

 ISIS Religious and Extremist Propaganda on Social Media: Dictionary-Based Study of Twitter

Abstract

The world had faced with many terrorist organizations until 2014. However, after 2014, the world faced with the most complicated terrorist organization. This terrorist organization is ISIS or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. ISIS has been running a more different propaganda campaign, emphasizing the state-building and welfare schemes run by this organization and these elements make ISIS more complicated. ISIS has been very well integrated into the new technology such as social media and smartphone and ISIS has been using them very effectively. Especially Twitter has become a major component of ISIS social media movement. Twitter was used to spread sensationalistic ISIS photos and videos across the Twitter users. While ISIS spread fear and messages on twitter, at the same time it also gained supporters. However, it is seen that ISIS’ sympathizer uses different jargons in terms of their number of followers in twitter. As a result of my research, I found that users with more followers used a stronger violence jargon on Twitter, while users with fewer followers using a softer and more religious language. Users with less followers were an emphasis on unity and religion, while users with more followers encouraging physical violence such as lone wolf attacks and killing enemy appeared more often on Twitter. Dictionary-based analysis of ISIS' and its sympathizers' tweets were performed. This dictionary-based research creates a typology to explain and categorize tweets from ISIS and its followers. For reliability, "Split-half test" was applied to the results and similar results were reached.

Keywords: ISIS, Twitter, Dictionary-Based Analysis, Propaganda

RELATED LINK: https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/isis-religious-and-extremist-propaganda-social-media-dictionary-based-study-twitter

New Poker in Middle East

Republic of Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced in a television speech(12.12.2018) Turkish military force would start a military operation to east of the Euphrates. The main target of this military operation is the Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Force (YPG) in the region. Republic of Turkey sees this democratic force as a part of PKK(Kurdistan Workers' Party). According to Republic of Turkey, PKK is a terrorist organization. However, USA works in coorperation with Syrian Democratic Force against ISIS in Northern Syria. 

After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's military operation anouncement, US warned Turkey not to attack Syria. A spokeman for the US department of defence said that unilateral military action into northeast Syria by any party, particularly as US personnel may be present or in the vicinity, is of grave concern. We would find any such actions unacceptable.

Russia, on the military operation, said that both sides need to be discreet.

As we could understand USA is totally against this military operation. Russia tries to find a middle way between Turkey, YPG and USA in this military operation. 

Soon or late, Turkey will launch this military operation to Eastern Syria, because Turkey always states that it is always uncomfortable about the presence of YPG in the region. Because of this Turkey's unconfortable situation, Turkey lauched two military operation to two different places in Northern Syria and Turkish military force ceaned these two places from YPG's militants. Turkey is really decisive about the presence of YPG in the region.

Almost at the same day, there was one more interesting news about Middle East. The news was about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reported to be “seriously considering” setting up a “game-changing” Camp David-style summit meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Many researchers believe that the main purpose of this meeting is to fix the bad image of the Saudi Arabia. ı am not totally agree with these researchers. Because, Saudi Arabia isolated from most of the Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Qatar and Iran. In my opinion, the main purpose of this meeting is to seek new alliances in the region.

As we could understand that there is a new poker game in Middle East and countries in the region try to take part in this game and they want to be strong in this game.