Terrorism Dilemma

Terrorism has been one of the most remarkable issues in recent years. Many scholars argue about terrorism. However, the lack of a definition of terrorism complicates the issue.

The most acceptable definition of terror in the world is the CIA's definition of terror. This study uses the CIA's definition of terrorism. According to Central Intelligence Agency (2007), terrorism means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

This definition is quite clear. Based on this definition, the YPG in Syria is a terrorist organization. However, many Western countries and the United States do not recognize YPG as terrorists. But this organization has caused the deaths of many innocent people in Turkey. Nevertheless, the media of many countries continue to have positive news about this organization. In addition, there are also positive news about the terrorist organization on Twitter.

For this purpose, sentiment and polarity analysis related with YPG in CNN, The New York Times and Twitter was performed.

                       

      

                                      Figure 1: Polarity result of CNN

Firstly, CNN's latest news about ypg is examined. The analysis revealed that the CNN's news was very positive about YPG. The most commonly used sentiment in the news about YPG is trust.

                               

                                          Figure 2: Sentiment result of CNN

            Secondly, the last news of the new york times about ypg was analyzed. Similar results were obtained with CNN. The new york times ypg news is also very positive. The most commonly used sentiment in the New York Times’ news about YPG is trust.

                                                Figure 3: Polarity result of New York Times

                                               Figure 4: Sentiment result of New York Times

Finally, the last 100 tweets about YPG on Twitter were analyzed. Twitter also has positive tweets about YPG, like CNN and New York Time. The most commonly used sentiment in twitter about YPG is fear. Tweets about ISIS raise the fear rate. That’s why fear was the most common sentiment in this anaysis.

                                      Figure 5: Polarity result of Tweets

                                      Figure 6: Sentiment result of Tweets

As seen above, there are positive views on YPG, which many countries recognize as terrorist organizations, in the media and social media. 

GOOD AND BAD TERRORIST

Nowadays, the world is haunted by a ghost, the ghost of terrorism. In particular, this ghost has frightened most of the people in the world after the twin towers attack in the United States on September 11, 2001.

In recent years, terrorism has been one of the most important threats in the world. This terrible threat threatens all countries in the world.

All countries must fight together against this big threat. Unfortunately, because of the lack of a common definition of terrorism, the definition of terrorism varies from country to country. This difference in definition affects all countries' war against terrorism.

The most acceptable definition of terror in the world is the CIA's definition of terror. This study uses the CIA's definition of terrorism. According to Central Intelligence Agency (2007), terrorism means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

This definition is quite clear. Based on this definition, the YPG in Syria is a terrorist organization. However, many Western countries and the United States do not recognize YPG as terrorists. But this organization has caused the deaths of many innocent people in Turkey. Nevertheless, the media of many countries continue to have positive news about this organization.

                                          Pic: 2018 YPG suicide attack in Turkey

In this study, CNN and Reuters' news about YPG between 2015-2018 were analyzed. First, CNN news was examined. In the beginning, the number of words were used in CNN about YPG was examined. The result of this examination is as follows;

             Secondly, the schema of the most used words was prepared. According to this scheme, some of the most used words are positive words such as women, life and freedom.

              Finally, sentiment analysis was performed. As a result of this analysis, it was found that the majority of the words used about YPG were positive.

            Secondly, Reuters news about YPG were examined. As a result of the analysis of the Reuters news also showed a positive attitude toward YPG like CNN. Some of the most used words in reuters are positive words such as women, equality and freedom.

           Sentiment analysis was performed also for reuters and based on the result of this analysis, it was found that the majority of the words used in reuters about YPG were positive.

            As can be seen, there are two types of terrorists. The first is bad and dangerous terrorist and the second one is good and beneficial terrorist. However, it should not be forgotten that they are both terrorists and somewhere in the world innocent people dies everyday because of these terrorist organizations.

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.