Description
Book SynopsisThe ability of terrorist groups to inflict death and destruction has markedly increased with technological advances in the areas of communication, transportation, and weapon capability. Using these new tools and networks, terrorists now seek to inflict mass casualties worldwide. Given these realities, it is essential to research the factors that underlie a terrorist groupâs origins, grievances, and demands. Such insights might help others respond more effectively to insurgencies, especially when military campaigns to capture or kill every terrorist have proven unsuccessful.
The Freedom Fighter: A Terroristâs Own Story explores why so many Kurdish peopleâespecially young adultsâjoin the Kurdistan Workersâ Party (PKK) and conduct terrorist acts. Inspired by the ground-breaking classic, The Jack-Roller: A Delinquent Boyâs Own Story, by Clifford R. Shaw, the author explores the issue of radicalization into terrorist organizations through the life-history method, enabling a PKK terroristâor âœfreedom fighterââto tell his story. Over a five-month period, the author interviewed âœDeniz,â a high-level PKK terrorist in a Turkish prison, who during his time in the PKK rose from the lowest level to near the top in terms of terrorist operations.
This riveting life history, told in Denizâs own words, provides unique insights into why someone becomes a âœfreedom fighterâ and what such a life entails. The account provides extensive information on the PKK, including the groupâs recruitment, ideological and military training, armed strategies, internal structures and code of ethics, treatment of women, and goals for peace. Denizâs story not only explains why more Kurdish âœfreedom fightersâ will be recruited to engage in terrorist acts, but also facilitates understanding of how âœnormal peopleâ can become involved in conflict and organizations that are designated as âœterrorist groups.â A foreword by renowned criminologist Francis T. Cullen helps contextualize the material. This book will interest students of criminology, terrorism/counterterrorism, political violence, and security.
Table of ContentsForeword by Francis T. Cullen
Preface
PART I. Terrorism in Context
Chapter 1: Meeting Deniz
Chapter 2: The History of Kurds and the PKK
PART II. The Freedom Fighter’s Own Story
Section A: Becoming a Terrorist
Chapter 3: The Early Years
Chapter 4: Joining the PKK
Chapter 5: Mission Trainings
Section B: Being a Terrorist
Chapter 6: Rangers and My First Mission
Chapter 7: Turkish Oppression Toward the Kurdish Villagers
Chapter 8: The PKK Organization
Chapter 9: On the Way to Damascus, Syria
Chapter 10: War Against Barzani’s Peshmerghas
Chapter 11: Chaotic Situation at Central Headquarters
Chapter 12: The Women Guerillas of the Organization
Chapter 13: The War Against the YNK
Chapter 14: The Invasion of Iraq by U.S. Forces
Chapter 15: That’s All She Wrote!
Chapter 16: The Trip to Amed
Chapter 17: Recruiting New Guerillas
Chapter 18: Decision to Keep My Hands Off
Section C: Prison and Beyond
Chapter 19: Leaving the PKK
Chapter 20: The Prison and the General
Chapter 21: Penitence (Second Thoughts)
Chapter 22: The Turks, The Kurds and the Last Chance
PART III: Conclusion
Chapter 23: Lessons from a Terrorist’s Own Story
Appendix I
References
Index
