The "2nd Congress on Combating Terrorism and Radicalization" was held in cooperation with the Department of International Relations of Hitit University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and the Research Center for Combating Terrorism and Radicalization (TERAM).
Theme and Purpose: Delivering the opening speech, Hitit University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sami Kiraz stated that the congress aims to be a platform where traditional and current issues are discussed by bringing together researchers in the field of security and terrorism studies. He noted that this year's theme was "Turkey’s Struggle Against PKK Terrorism 1984-2024."
Academic Focus: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kiraz emphasized that the primary goal is to academically examine the phenomenon of terrorism in Turkey and Turkey's counter-terrorism efforts by focusing on the PKK. He highlighted the objective of creating awareness and contributing to common-sense solutions by bringing together academics, researchers, and public institution members.
Transformation of the Threat: Erol Başaran Bural, President of the Association for Combating Terrorism and Radicalization, pointed out that the PKK has transformed itself in every aspect over the past 40 years since its first major attack in 1984. He underlined that the organization has structured itself across Europe and the Middle East, becoming a major player in drug trafficking and acting as a subcontractor for other groups and states.
Filling the Academic Gap: Bural noted that while state institutions have adapted to the dynamic nature of counter-terrorism, the academic dimension has lagged. He stated that the limited number of doctoral theses directly focusing on the PKK was the motivation behind organizing this congress to contribute to the scientific field.
Total Struggle: Hitit University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Eşref Savaş Başçı expressed their pleasure in hosting the event, stating that counter-terrorism should be evaluated not just as a military precaution but as a "total struggle" process involving information sharing and academic evaluation.
Regional Security Progress: The Governor of Çorum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülkif Dağlı, spoke about the progress Turkey has made since the 1980s, comparing the past difficulties of basic local transportation to the current era where comprehensive security strategies are discussed.
Opening Session: Following the speeches, the session titled "Turkey's Struggle Against PKK Terrorism 1984-2024" commenced. Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Director General for Intelligence and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a presentation titled "Security Diplomacy and the Litmus Test of International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism: The PKK."
Key Presentations: Other speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nihat Ali Özcan (TOBB ETU) on the transformation of the struggle, Prof. Dr. Haldun Yalçınkaya on conceptualization in counter-terrorism, and Prof. Dr. Serhat Erkmen (TERAM) on the current state of academic studies regarding the PKK in Turkish academia.
Diverse Academic Topics: The congress academically addressed various topics such as the PKK’s recruitment methods, media strategy, policies of other countries, and the role of women in the organization, alongside counter-strategies including the role of intelligence, deradicalization, and public diplomacy in the digital world.
