Counter-terrorism in the age of hard power: reassessing Turkey’s policy against the PKK

Turkish counterterrorism efforts against the PKK have fluctuated between hard and soft policies over the years. However, since 2015, there has been a notable shift toward the predominant use of hard power. This study aims to uncover the underlying causes of the current policy by examining the instruments utilized in its counterterrorism trajectory. Employing an eclectic approach, the research incorporates public policy analysis into the formulation and evolution of counterterrorism policy, considering various analytical levels: individual, organizational, state, and international. While security concerns that emanated from the PKK have played a central role, factors such as the pursuit of strategic autonomy in foreign policy, changes in the global system, and regional dynamics have also significantly influenced the development of this new policy. Additionally, the professionalization of security forces, the growth of the defence industry, domestic political considerations, and challenges in defining the core issues have all contributed to the implementation of the current hard-line approach.