Turkey is at a turning point in the world’s geographic and political scene. The developing relationships of the nation have spread opposition and wars on a global level. Terrorist organizations in Turkey are triggering the country into internal turmoil with continuous threats against the government, military, and civilians. Major terrorist groups in Turkey are the nationalist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and Al Qaeda known to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide bombing, and kidnapping to further their causes. This essay will review articles on terrorist organizations in Turkey comparing and contrasting the sources rendering of perspective or slant on the information given.
Terrorism in Turkey Two distinct sides within this nation are both fighting for control; the Turkey’s Justice and Development Party commonly known as the AKP for Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi and the (PKK) Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Bajalan, 2011). The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has been fighting against Turkish authorities and rival Kurdish groups since 1984. The government and media have yet to label the PKK that fist began in 1978 as a terrorist organization causing an outcry by the public. According to Cable News Network (2011), “The PKK is a terror group established during the Cold War with the aim of fulfilling a nationalist dream” (para. 5). The public made an exhibition of their discontent by having protests in western Turkey after the violent deaths of 24 Turkish soldiers in mid-October 2011 (Bajalan, 2011). At the same time in Kurdish demonstrators also took to the streets to show their discontent by providing support to the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and militia in the mountains. Bajalan (2011), “In 2009 when a group of PKK activists descended from their mountain camps in response to government calls for peace, they were greeted by Kurds on the Iraqi-Turkish border as heroes” (Armed struggle). This separation has further split the Kurds and Turks clearly showing conflict within the nation. However, the more the government claims the group is not a representative to the Turkish, the further skeptics disagree. Many Turks believe that the PKK is an abomination and do not comprehend the reasons that someone could support the group. However, in Hakkari found near the borders of Iran and Iraq, several citizens show support for the PKK organization opposing the stance of the government. The patriarchal attitude of the government toward the Kurdish still thwarts the government’s plans for independence, especially after 2009 when the AKP became aware that the Democratic Society Party (DTP) supports the PKK organization. Although recent elections show a decline in government support indicative of local support to the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), and the Democratic Society Party (DTP) supporting the PKK organization. Stemming from views of government corruption and attempts to silence Kurdish members of parliament citizens believe that the Prime Minister’s stance is hypocritical of the nation’s values. The second major dividing factor is nationalism and ethical views that go back for centuries. Bajalan (2011), “Turkey is a highly nationalistic society and is prone to outbursts of public hysteria whenever there are perceived threats to the Republic” (Public Opinion). Public statements from government officials fuel the fire of separation clearly showing the opposition between the Turks and Kurds. The article is clearly showing favoritism toward the government as the controlling power in Turkey. He further continues to state that the success of the government falls on their ability to integrate successfully the Kurdish peace and nationalism, yet does not believe that anything further will help achieve this goal. One way the Kurdish can gain civil liberties is to use their elected officials to change laws and constitutional rights.
PKK attack in Paris Turkish civilians in Paris held a peaceful protest at Bastille Square against the Kurdistan Workers' Party by expressing disapproval of the terrorist acts and deaths taking place in Turkey. According to Today's Zaman (2007), “The protest was organized by member organizations of the Turkish Platform in The Hague, and many Azeri Turks also joined the anti-terrorism protests” (para. 3). This group was savagely struck sticks and stones from PKK members eventually harming 15 Turks (Today's Zaman, 2007). During the protest the Turks were singing the national anthem and hoping to spread awareness about terrorism in Turkey. The article clearly shows an outrage to the vicious acts by the PKK. The humanitarianism of the author shows bias because the article promotes human welfare and provides information on the Turks and reasons for the protest without any information about the PKK other than their vicious acts. Additionally, there was not any information given to explain how the attacks began, or reasons members of the PKK chose to harm the Turks.
Pentagon helps Turkey The United Press International, Incorporated (2011) website states that the Defense Department has interagency agents in Turkey providing mutual conferences on procedures that may stabilize collaboration efforts between the United States and Turkey with counter-terrorism techniques. According to United Press International, Incorporated (2011), “Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the State Department, told reporters during her regular news briefing that Washington was a strong Turkish ally in counter-terrorism” (para. 3). Further efforts by the U.S. Military help assist the Turkish by providing joint information concerning PKK movements in Iraq. This article unmistakably represents the United States supports the Turkish government and their efforts in combatting terrorism through shared information and resources to assist in the effort to fight terrorism. This article additionally appears to be written purely for informational purposes and seems to be fair and impartial rather than subjective or intolerant in context.
Conclusion
The media’s coverage of terrorism is greater than before by covering global events and several sources providing current and up-to-date information on events that take place. This essay covers current terrorism in Turkey and shows perspectives from diverse sources identifying perspectives or slant on the information given influencing the reader. The results of research for this essay shows that several sources cover the same incidents providing different information, perspectives, views, and biases built by the authors perception of the event that took place.
References
Bajalan, D. R. (2011). Turkey’s Never-Ending Kurdish Question. Retrieved from http://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current-Affairs/ISN-Insights/Detail?lng=en&id=133704&contextid734=133704&contextid735=133703&tabid=133703&dynrel=4888caa0-b3db-1461-98b9-e20e7b9c13d4,0c54e3b3-1e9c-be1e-2c24-a6a8c7060233,40db1b50-7439-887d-706e-8ec00590bdb9
Cable News Network. (2011). Should the U.S. sell Turkey weapons to use against the PKK? Retrieved from http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/29/should-the-u-s-sell-turkey-weapons-to-use-against-the-pkk/?hpt=wo_r1
Today's Zaman. (2007). PKK members attack anti-terrorism protesters in Paris. Retrieved from http://www.todayszaman.com/news-261503-pkk-members-attack-anti-terrorism-protesters-in-paris.html
United Press International, Inc. (2011). Pentagon helps Ankara's terrorism fight. Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/10/26/Pentagon-helps-Ankaras-terrorism-fight/UPI-74831319640074/
