Kurds Under Threat: The Role of Kurdish Transnational Networks During Peace and Conflict (Kurdish Societies, Politics, and International Relations)

Previous researches examine how transnational ethnic ties impact the relationship between host states and diaspora and why states and ethnic minorities in the diaspora may occasionally support violent rebel organizations in the homeland. However, these previous studies do not really consider the relationships among co-ethnic organizations without a homeland government. This book tackles the following important questions: How and when do co-ethnic Kurdish organizations provide open support for each other during conflict-peace cycle events? Moreover, do external threats impact the relationship among co-ethnic organizations? The aim of this research is to identify the causal factors that influence the transnational networks between Kurdish organizations. Research findings reveal that political rationality and external threats seem to be stronger predictors of political behavior than ethnic ties in the Kurdish case. This study helps scholars and policy makers to evaluate the impact of transnational networks between co-ethnic Kurdish organizations in cases of civil war, which may play a crucial role in the escalation and de-escalation of international conflicts. In addition, this research helps to understand the role of co-ethnic organizations in building sustainable peace in areas of conflict. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 List of Figures 12 List of Abbreviations 14 Introduction 16 Chapter 1: Conceptual Framework 20 Separatist Movements, Transnational Networks, and Collective Action Theory 20 Conclusion 35 Chapter 2: History of Kurdish Nationalism and Kurdish Organizations 38 Kurds in Turkey 39 Kurds from Syria 44 Kurds from Iraq 48 Kurds from Iran 51 Conclusion 53 Chapter 3: The Turkish-PKK Civil War (2004–2017) 56 The Turkish Military Threat (2004–2017) 58 Turkey’s Economic Threats against the KRG (2007–2017) 63 Turkey’s Political Threats against the KRG (2004–2017) 64 Conclusion 69 Chapter 4: The Iranian-Kurdish Civil Wars With PJAK and KPDI (2004–2017) 72 The Iranian Military Threat toward THE KRG for the PJAK Activities (2004–2011) 74 The KRG and the PJAK Relation (2004–2011) 78 The Iranian Military Attack toward the KRG for KDPI Activities (2016–2017) 82 The Iranian Political Threat toward the KRG (2004–2017) 83 The Iranian Economic Threat toward the KRG (2004–2017) 84 Conclusion 85 Chapter 5: The Peace-Talks Between Turkey and the PKK (2009–2015) 88 KRG’s Political Statements and the Peace Process in Turkey (2004–2015) 89 The KRG’s Role in the Peace Process (2004–2011) 91 Resuming Peace Process (2011–2015) 94 End of Cease-fire and Collapse of Peace Process (July 2015) 95 Conclusion 96 Chapter 6: The ISIS Threat and Collaboration Between Kurdish Organizations 100 The ISIS Attack against Yazidi Kurds in Iraq (2014) 101 The Relationship between the KRG and the PKK (2014) 101 The Siege of Kobane and the Kurdish Front against ISIS (2014) 106 The Relationship between Iraqi Kurdish Organizations (the KRG/the PUK/the Gorran) and the PYD 106 The Relationship between the KRG and the PYD Prior to the ISIS Attack to Kobane 107 The Relationship between the KRG and the PYD after the ISIS Attack to Kobane 110 The Relationship between Kurdish Organizations from Turkey (the HDP/the PKK) and the PYD 112 The PKK’s Open Support for the PYD 115 Conclusion 117 Chapter 7: Competition and Rivalry Between the KRG and the PKK (2015–2017) 120 The Rivalry between the PKK and the KRG 121 Who Is the Savior of the Yazidi Kurds? 122 Conclusion 129 Chapter 8: Conclusion 132 Key Findings on External Threat against the KRG 133 Key Findings on Open Support for the PKK during the Cease-Fire and Peace Process in Turkey 138 Key Findings on the Role of Same External Threat and Collaboration between Kurdish Organizations 139 Key Findings on the Rivalry between the PKK and the KRG 141 Recommendations for Future Research 142 Implication and Recommendations for Policymakers 144 Study Limitations 145 Conclusion 146 Notes 150 Chapter 1 150 Chapter 2 151 Chapter 3 151 Chapter 4 152 Chapter 5 152 Chapter 6 153 Chapter 7 153 Chapter 8 153 References 154 Index 174 About the Author 178 "The aim of this book is to identify the causal factors that influence the transnational networks between Kurdish organizations. Research findings reveal that political rationality and external threats seem to be stronger predictors of political behavior than ethnic ties in the Kurdish case"-- Provided by publisher