Despite mixed research findings, increasing police visibility has long been assumed to reduce cri... more Despite mixed research findings, increasing police visibility has long been assumed to reduce crime and citizen fear of crime. Surveying 1,175 respondents from Malatya, a midsize city in Turkey, this paper examines the effects of citizens' perceptions of police visibility and success on fear of crime during the daytime and at night. Consistent with some previous research, ordered logistic regression analyses revealed that perceived police visibility had no effect on citizens' fear of crime. However, perceived police success significantly reduced fear of crime at night. Consistent with previous research, females were more likely than males to fear crime during the day, and this effect increased exponentially at night. Previous personal crime victimization was a strong predictor of fear of crime during daytime but not at night, and reading local newspapers increased fear of crime during daytime only, suggesting that victims of personal crimes are more likely to limit their exposure to nighttime contexts. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
The Turkish government implemented antidemocratic policies and practices after the attempted coup... more The Turkish government implemented antidemocratic policies and practices after the attempted coup in 2016, leading to the victimization of its own citizens. This qualitative study examined alleged constitutional and human rights violations in Türkiye using a phenomenological research design and semi-structured, in-depth interviews to document the lived experiences of 25 participants who were selected through snowball sampling. The main themes found in the study were loss of jobs, mobbing, loss of freedom of travel and movement, denial of health services (within and outside the criminal justice system), and physical and psychological persecution. The results of the study support previous research, contribute to the literature by revealing additional types of victimization, and, through first-person accounts, shed light on the serious harm that Turkish citizens suffered at the hands of the Erdogan government. Policy implications and limitations of the study are included.
The article discusses the threat of bioterrorism and the importance of biodefense in the wake of ... more The article discusses the threat of bioterrorism and the importance of biodefense in the wake of COVID-19. In other words, it questions if the U.S. biodefense system is ready for a potential bioterror attack by bringing up some of the catastrophic impacts of the pandemic on individuals, economies, and institutions.
Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and/or racially and ethnically motivated violent extrem... more Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and/or racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist (RMVE) terrorism are on the rise globally – including in Western countries such as the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray has implied that the white-supremacist threat is significant, increasing, and the RMVEs are the “top threat” to U.S., domestically. Two reports published this year, one from the United Nations and one from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), support Wray’s argument. For example, the 2020 CSIS report states that “right-wing extremists pose the most significant terrorism threat to the United States, based on annual terrorist events and fatalities.” A 2019 International Centre for Counter-Terrorism Policy Brief offered a similar conclusion, noting that white-supremacist and violent extremist groups are believed to have been trying to infiltrate some countries’ military forces, including those of the United States. Does the United States, particularly its military commanders and military officials, do enough to counter the actions of violent extremist groups that have or may attempt to infiltrate the ranks of the U.S. military? What security measures and preventive actions can be taken to stop such infiltration?
Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and racially and ethnically motivated terrorism are on ... more Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and racially and ethnically motivated terrorism are on the rise globally—including Western countries such as the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray has implied that the white-supremacist threat is significant and increasing. A 2020United Nations report and a 2019 report from The Soufan Center show that compared with some Islamic extremist terrorism, racially and ethnically motivated terrorism have occurred more frequently and resulted in more casualties over the last years. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of white nationalist groups in the United States increased 55 percent between 2017 and 2019, prompting the civil rights organization to conclude that white nationalism poses a serious threat to national security and pluralistic democracy in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League has reported similar findings, noting that “white supremacists have committed 78% of right-wing extremist-related murders” over the last10 years, that right-wing extremists were responsible for 90 percent of domestic extremist-related murders, and that white supremacists, particularly, were responsible for 81 percent of the killings in the year of 2019.
After George Floyd was brutally killed by the police, several solutions were suggested as a respo... more After George Floyd was brutally killed by the police, several solutions were suggested as a response to the police excessive force. An accurate diagnosis of the problem is needed before an appropriate solution can be developed. To do otherwise could make a bad situation even worse. Rather than rushing to defund police departments, the root of the problem should be diagnosed first, followed by a discussion of alternative solutions that get to the heart of the problem. An important question to ask is: Where does the problem originate? Possible answers range from officer recruitment and training to police department organizational policies and police (sub) culture.
Homegrown terrorism has been a security concern in the United States for many years, focusing pri... more Homegrown terrorism has been a security concern in the United States for many years, focusing primarily on affiliates of al-Qaeda and ISIS. Threats from these groups continue, and the prospects of an attack are worrisome. However, equally troubling is the rapid growth and vocal intensity of white, racially motivated violent extremist groups that prioritize and engage in domestic terrorism. Among these groups is The Base, a fairly new organization that warrants scrutiny. Perhaps by coincidence or by clever calculation, the group’s name is the English translation of the Arabic word al-Qaeda, which also is the name of a Salafi jihadist terrorist organization.
The brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 has led to intensive... more The brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 has led to intensive discussions on defunding, dismantling and abolishing police forces. Shifting resources to areas such as increased training might be a better idea than defunding. In that regard, the accountability of officer misconduct — and the use of force policies — are also important.
The outcome of the election on June 23 most likely will be the same as it was on March 31. The Ku... more The outcome of the election on June 23 most likely will be the same as it was on March 31. The Kurds, whose houses and neighborhoods have been destroyed by the security forces in the name of counterterrorism policies have not forgotten what happened at the hands of the ruling AKP. They also have not forgotten the Kobani incidents, where Kurds were left to die in front of ISIS. Further, some righteous citizens who have observed the victimization of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, regardless of their ethnicity or color, by government decrees, will also not support Erdogan’s candidate for mayor of Istanbul. They will choose the opposition candidate because they long for an end to the Erdogan regime’s constitutional and human rights violations (Human Rights Watch, 2019; UN Report, 2018) in response to Kurds who dare to disagree with the ruling party. Istanbul’s Kurdish voters will not forget Erdogan’s disdain for the Kurds. The Kurds know that Kurds, too, are human. They will not forget Erdogan’s overly political and pragmatist approach to human beings. Yesterday’s terrorist is today’s human, or vice versa, depending on the vote the ruling party needs. If the Erdogan-supported candidate is again defeated, it is highly likely that the Istanbul mayoral election rerun will be a turning point for Turkish democracy—a turning back to Turkish democracy.
“By the grace of God!” Some rulers use the cry to explain why certain events happen and why they ... more “By the grace of God!” Some rulers use the cry to explain why certain events happen and why they play out as they do. They will argue that God, in allowing the events to happen, has bestowed his grace upon the ruler. Two rulers and two events—the Reichstag fire in Germany on February 27, 1933, and the military coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016—illustrate the devastating consequences this twisted logic can have on the lives of ordinary people. When Adolph Hitler arrived at the scene, he told German Chancellor Franz von Pape, “This is a God-given signal” to crush Communists (and later opponents). Immediately after the failed military coup, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the event was “a gift from God” and justification for Erdogan to start cleansing the military (and later purging opponents).
The pages of history are littered with oppressors, dictators, and tyrants from countries large an... more The pages of history are littered with oppressors, dictators, and tyrants from countries large and small across the globe who share a common trait: paranoia that leads to zero tolerance for criticism, disobedience, alternative ideas,competition and any kind of perceived disrespect from supporters and foes alike. A contemporary example is the president of Turkey, who appears to be following in the footsteps of tyrants who came before him.Stalin, for example, applied the Great Purge not only to wealthy peasants and people who had opposed him in the past but also to comrades and friends, Communist leaders, party members and bureaucrats.In the end, millions of friends and enemies alike were executed or died in labor camps. The motivation for Stalin’s actions, as it often is for tyrants, was a perceived threat to his political power and beliefs. Anyone who challenged him had to be dealt with by any means available.
Manipulation. It is the subtle and insidious use of power by rulers over the governed and, in eff... more Manipulation. It is the subtle and insidious use of power by rulers over the governed and, in effect, is a form of ideological mind control. There are “three faces of power” in the literature, and manipulation often occurs without the conscious awareness of or objection from the manipulated when we talk about the third face of the power. For example, ruler uses power over citizen to make citizen do what citizen does not want to do and determines and shapes citizen’s wants without citizen discerning the manipulation. Rulers who wear this face of power view it as an effective way to handle conflict among the masses and meld them to the ruler’s ideology or way of thinking.The power is so hidden that the masses never realize what has happened. They blindly follow, convinced that the action they were told was for their own good when in reality it is not.
The use of the third face of power is clearly on display in Turkey where people believe and obey without question whatever they are told and whatever decisions are made, even though the edicts, such as the declaration of a state of emergency,affect their liberties and may even harm them in the long-run. They have become so convinced that the government is doing what is right and is in the best interest of and for the benefit of the people and the country. Over time, they have become numb to the inequalities and injustices. Ironically, when the people do react, their actions prove detrimental to their own good.
The ruler during Turkey’s rise to (and probable fall from) power—Erdogan—reminds me of two storie... more The ruler during Turkey’s rise to (and probable fall from) power—Erdogan—reminds me of two stories: the real-life King Saul and William Shakespeare’s fictitious character Lord Macbeth. The similarities are striking. King Saul was a tall man and talented warrior; however, the victory of his army came with David’s slingshot that killed Goliath. King Saul came to power with good intentions and successfully united and gathered people against Goliath and his army. In the end, however, jealousy led to King Saul’s fall from power. He turned his spear toward David and his own people, both of whom he saw as a potential threat to his position of authority. Lord Macbeth was a good warrior and an upstanding man until he listened to the witches and began to pursue his selfish ambitions in a relentless quest for power, to be king. This unchecked ambition transformed Macbeth, leading him to slay King Duncan, only to be killed himself at the hands of Macduff.
Terrorism and radicalization are complex and multidimensional concepts that involve social, psych... more Terrorism and radicalization are complex and multidimensional concepts that involve social, psychological, political, financial, and educational issues. Given this mix of factors, could a military and/or law enforcement intervention be the solution to terrorism and radicalization? The answer is “no.” Could the hard power be the solution to some psychological factors (i.e., alienation) or political factors (i.e., political exclusion and oppression) of joining terrorist groups? Again, the answer is “no.” The answer will always be “no” until the solution offered addresses the multiple dimensions of the problem with a comprehensive, but individualized, approach. A reliance on bombs, bullets, and warfare alone will not suffice.
The Turkish government's sweeping attempts to muzzle dissent and opposition of the ruling party a... more The Turkish government's sweeping attempts to muzzle dissent and opposition of the ruling party among its citizens has been largely successful. Perhaps emboldened by this success, the Turkish government has seen fit to export its practices to the United States. Just weeks before the start of the prestigious international conference in November of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) in Philadelphia, oicials from the Turkish Embassy tried to intervene and strike from the conference agenda panels — including my own and others that would reveal the truth about Turkey's politicized and corrupt criminal justice system and its arbitrary and inhumane application. The papers in question were based on data and objective empirical research. Fortunately, the ASC conference committee had the wisdom and will to reject the embassy's thoughtless, disrespectful and illegitimate demand. The Philadelphia police provided great security and protection to prevent incidents of excessive and illegal use of force against civilians that happened in Washington just months ago. The question is, how dare can the Turkish Embassy to meddle in academic aairs and academicians in a city that has been historically a welcoming home for " immigrants fleeing political turmoil, persecution … " ?! From time to time, the Turkish government confuses Turkey with the United States in terms of jurisdiction. Let us remember that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's security forces dared to use excessive force against civilians in Washington, injuring several people. Just a few months later, Erdogan's bodyguards used physical force against U.S. protesters on U.S. soil. One American politician described the bodyguards' action as " thuggish behavior " and reminded them that their intervention was illegal in the United States. The Turkish government also confuses the criminal justice and judiciary systems in Turkey with their counterparts in the United States. In the United States, both systems function properly, the judiciary is independent, and a distinction is made between criminals and noncriminals. Suspects in the United States are not jailed and detained arbitrarily for a few years (or more) without evidence that a crime was committed. Due process is accorded to suspects, who are considered to be innocent until proven guilty on the basis of real evidence. In other words, evidence is sought and obtained before — rather than aer — a suspect is detained. Turkish oicials — especially those who are assigned to represent Turkey on U.S. soil — need to be made aware that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects " freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. " The Turkish Embassy's attempt to thwart free speech in the United States is, on some level, understandable, given that such freedom does not exist in Turkey, as an Amnesty International report points out. The report further notes the inhumane treatment — including torture and rape — of detainees.
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, Jan 6, 2018
The purpose of the present study is to produce foresights on terrorism. For the first
time in the... more The purpose of the present study is to produce foresights on terrorism. For the first time in the literature, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling to forecast terrorism. Because the relevant literature suggests that target selection and the places where terrorist attacks occur are related to a group's strategies, we also investigate whether and how violent terrorist acts vary with respect to their surroundings in the same jurisdiction when the ideology is the point of comparison. Separatist and leftist terrorist groups committed 1,152 violent terrorist acts between 2008 and 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. Our analysis begins with a comparison of targets and risk factors by the ideology of the perpetrators for 857 separatist and 295 leftist terrorist incidents. After identifying high-risk locations, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling. The study results showed that context and spatial influence—the risky areas of terrorism—vary by the nature of the ideology in the jurisdiction. Practical implications also are discussed.
Faced with the loss of territory and influence in the Middle East, ISIS is determined to show the... more Faced with the loss of territory and influence in the Middle East, ISIS is determined to show the world that it is still capable of carrying out terrorist attacks despite global efforts to defeat the terrorist group. The latest terror attack in the Rawdah mosque in Egypt, which left 305 casualties — including 27 children — and more than a hundred people injured, is just another example. That may indeed be the case, if the response to terrorism does not go beyond talking about such attacks and their consequences. Terror attacks by ISIS and similarly aligned groups will never end as long as the jihadi Salafism ideology has a source on which to feed and therefore survive. This article discusses some alternative solutions to extremism and violent ideology.
Why do masses follow and even act irrationally? One explanation could be the Magic Bullet Theory.... more Why do masses follow and even act irrationally? One explanation could be the Magic Bullet Theory. This study also provides some examples from the history to shed light on the media effect in Turkey.
The current type of regime in Turkey is democracy on the paper, but autocracy in reality and appl... more The current type of regime in Turkey is democracy on the paper, but autocracy in reality and application. Autocracy is a term describing the regime type, but not the ruler. Therefore, it is not an adequate term to define the Turkey's regime controlled by a supreme ruler.
Despite mixed research findings, increasing police visibility has long been assumed to reduce cri... more Despite mixed research findings, increasing police visibility has long been assumed to reduce crime and citizen fear of crime. Surveying 1,175 respondents from Malatya, a midsize city in Turkey, this paper examines the effects of citizens' perceptions of police visibility and success on fear of crime during the daytime and at night. Consistent with some previous research, ordered logistic regression analyses revealed that perceived police visibility had no effect on citizens' fear of crime. However, perceived police success significantly reduced fear of crime at night. Consistent with previous research, females were more likely than males to fear crime during the day, and this effect increased exponentially at night. Previous personal crime victimization was a strong predictor of fear of crime during daytime but not at night, and reading local newspapers increased fear of crime during daytime only, suggesting that victims of personal crimes are more likely to limit their exposure to nighttime contexts. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
The Turkish government implemented antidemocratic policies and practices after the attempted coup... more The Turkish government implemented antidemocratic policies and practices after the attempted coup in 2016, leading to the victimization of its own citizens. This qualitative study examined alleged constitutional and human rights violations in Türkiye using a phenomenological research design and semi-structured, in-depth interviews to document the lived experiences of 25 participants who were selected through snowball sampling. The main themes found in the study were loss of jobs, mobbing, loss of freedom of travel and movement, denial of health services (within and outside the criminal justice system), and physical and psychological persecution. The results of the study support previous research, contribute to the literature by revealing additional types of victimization, and, through first-person accounts, shed light on the serious harm that Turkish citizens suffered at the hands of the Erdogan government. Policy implications and limitations of the study are included.
The article discusses the threat of bioterrorism and the importance of biodefense in the wake of ... more The article discusses the threat of bioterrorism and the importance of biodefense in the wake of COVID-19. In other words, it questions if the U.S. biodefense system is ready for a potential bioterror attack by bringing up some of the catastrophic impacts of the pandemic on individuals, economies, and institutions.
Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and/or racially and ethnically motivated violent extrem... more Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and/or racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist (RMVE) terrorism are on the rise globally – including in Western countries such as the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray has implied that the white-supremacist threat is significant, increasing, and the RMVEs are the “top threat” to U.S., domestically. Two reports published this year, one from the United Nations and one from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), support Wray’s argument. For example, the 2020 CSIS report states that “right-wing extremists pose the most significant terrorism threat to the United States, based on annual terrorist events and fatalities.” A 2019 International Centre for Counter-Terrorism Policy Brief offered a similar conclusion, noting that white-supremacist and violent extremist groups are believed to have been trying to infiltrate some countries’ military forces, including those of the United States. Does the United States, particularly its military commanders and military officials, do enough to counter the actions of violent extremist groups that have or may attempt to infiltrate the ranks of the U.S. military? What security measures and preventive actions can be taken to stop such infiltration?
Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and racially and ethnically motivated terrorism are on ... more Far-right violence, right-wing extremism, and racially and ethnically motivated terrorism are on the rise globally—including Western countries such as the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray has implied that the white-supremacist threat is significant and increasing. A 2020United Nations report and a 2019 report from The Soufan Center show that compared with some Islamic extremist terrorism, racially and ethnically motivated terrorism have occurred more frequently and resulted in more casualties over the last years. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of white nationalist groups in the United States increased 55 percent between 2017 and 2019, prompting the civil rights organization to conclude that white nationalism poses a serious threat to national security and pluralistic democracy in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League has reported similar findings, noting that “white supremacists have committed 78% of right-wing extremist-related murders” over the last10 years, that right-wing extremists were responsible for 90 percent of domestic extremist-related murders, and that white supremacists, particularly, were responsible for 81 percent of the killings in the year of 2019.
After George Floyd was brutally killed by the police, several solutions were suggested as a respo... more After George Floyd was brutally killed by the police, several solutions were suggested as a response to the police excessive force. An accurate diagnosis of the problem is needed before an appropriate solution can be developed. To do otherwise could make a bad situation even worse. Rather than rushing to defund police departments, the root of the problem should be diagnosed first, followed by a discussion of alternative solutions that get to the heart of the problem. An important question to ask is: Where does the problem originate? Possible answers range from officer recruitment and training to police department organizational policies and police (sub) culture.
Homegrown terrorism has been a security concern in the United States for many years, focusing pri... more Homegrown terrorism has been a security concern in the United States for many years, focusing primarily on affiliates of al-Qaeda and ISIS. Threats from these groups continue, and the prospects of an attack are worrisome. However, equally troubling is the rapid growth and vocal intensity of white, racially motivated violent extremist groups that prioritize and engage in domestic terrorism. Among these groups is The Base, a fairly new organization that warrants scrutiny. Perhaps by coincidence or by clever calculation, the group’s name is the English translation of the Arabic word al-Qaeda, which also is the name of a Salafi jihadist terrorist organization.
The brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 has led to intensive... more The brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 has led to intensive discussions on defunding, dismantling and abolishing police forces. Shifting resources to areas such as increased training might be a better idea than defunding. In that regard, the accountability of officer misconduct — and the use of force policies — are also important.
The outcome of the election on June 23 most likely will be the same as it was on March 31. The Ku... more The outcome of the election on June 23 most likely will be the same as it was on March 31. The Kurds, whose houses and neighborhoods have been destroyed by the security forces in the name of counterterrorism policies have not forgotten what happened at the hands of the ruling AKP. They also have not forgotten the Kobani incidents, where Kurds were left to die in front of ISIS. Further, some righteous citizens who have observed the victimization of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, regardless of their ethnicity or color, by government decrees, will also not support Erdogan’s candidate for mayor of Istanbul. They will choose the opposition candidate because they long for an end to the Erdogan regime’s constitutional and human rights violations (Human Rights Watch, 2019; UN Report, 2018) in response to Kurds who dare to disagree with the ruling party. Istanbul’s Kurdish voters will not forget Erdogan’s disdain for the Kurds. The Kurds know that Kurds, too, are human. They will not forget Erdogan’s overly political and pragmatist approach to human beings. Yesterday’s terrorist is today’s human, or vice versa, depending on the vote the ruling party needs. If the Erdogan-supported candidate is again defeated, it is highly likely that the Istanbul mayoral election rerun will be a turning point for Turkish democracy—a turning back to Turkish democracy.
“By the grace of God!” Some rulers use the cry to explain why certain events happen and why they ... more “By the grace of God!” Some rulers use the cry to explain why certain events happen and why they play out as they do. They will argue that God, in allowing the events to happen, has bestowed his grace upon the ruler. Two rulers and two events—the Reichstag fire in Germany on February 27, 1933, and the military coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016—illustrate the devastating consequences this twisted logic can have on the lives of ordinary people. When Adolph Hitler arrived at the scene, he told German Chancellor Franz von Pape, “This is a God-given signal” to crush Communists (and later opponents). Immediately after the failed military coup, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the event was “a gift from God” and justification for Erdogan to start cleansing the military (and later purging opponents).
The pages of history are littered with oppressors, dictators, and tyrants from countries large an... more The pages of history are littered with oppressors, dictators, and tyrants from countries large and small across the globe who share a common trait: paranoia that leads to zero tolerance for criticism, disobedience, alternative ideas,competition and any kind of perceived disrespect from supporters and foes alike. A contemporary example is the president of Turkey, who appears to be following in the footsteps of tyrants who came before him.Stalin, for example, applied the Great Purge not only to wealthy peasants and people who had opposed him in the past but also to comrades and friends, Communist leaders, party members and bureaucrats.In the end, millions of friends and enemies alike were executed or died in labor camps. The motivation for Stalin’s actions, as it often is for tyrants, was a perceived threat to his political power and beliefs. Anyone who challenged him had to be dealt with by any means available.
Manipulation. It is the subtle and insidious use of power by rulers over the governed and, in eff... more Manipulation. It is the subtle and insidious use of power by rulers over the governed and, in effect, is a form of ideological mind control. There are “three faces of power” in the literature, and manipulation often occurs without the conscious awareness of or objection from the manipulated when we talk about the third face of the power. For example, ruler uses power over citizen to make citizen do what citizen does not want to do and determines and shapes citizen’s wants without citizen discerning the manipulation. Rulers who wear this face of power view it as an effective way to handle conflict among the masses and meld them to the ruler’s ideology or way of thinking.The power is so hidden that the masses never realize what has happened. They blindly follow, convinced that the action they were told was for their own good when in reality it is not.
The use of the third face of power is clearly on display in Turkey where people believe and obey without question whatever they are told and whatever decisions are made, even though the edicts, such as the declaration of a state of emergency,affect their liberties and may even harm them in the long-run. They have become so convinced that the government is doing what is right and is in the best interest of and for the benefit of the people and the country. Over time, they have become numb to the inequalities and injustices. Ironically, when the people do react, their actions prove detrimental to their own good.
The ruler during Turkey’s rise to (and probable fall from) power—Erdogan—reminds me of two storie... more The ruler during Turkey’s rise to (and probable fall from) power—Erdogan—reminds me of two stories: the real-life King Saul and William Shakespeare’s fictitious character Lord Macbeth. The similarities are striking. King Saul was a tall man and talented warrior; however, the victory of his army came with David’s slingshot that killed Goliath. King Saul came to power with good intentions and successfully united and gathered people against Goliath and his army. In the end, however, jealousy led to King Saul’s fall from power. He turned his spear toward David and his own people, both of whom he saw as a potential threat to his position of authority. Lord Macbeth was a good warrior and an upstanding man until he listened to the witches and began to pursue his selfish ambitions in a relentless quest for power, to be king. This unchecked ambition transformed Macbeth, leading him to slay King Duncan, only to be killed himself at the hands of Macduff.
Terrorism and radicalization are complex and multidimensional concepts that involve social, psych... more Terrorism and radicalization are complex and multidimensional concepts that involve social, psychological, political, financial, and educational issues. Given this mix of factors, could a military and/or law enforcement intervention be the solution to terrorism and radicalization? The answer is “no.” Could the hard power be the solution to some psychological factors (i.e., alienation) or political factors (i.e., political exclusion and oppression) of joining terrorist groups? Again, the answer is “no.” The answer will always be “no” until the solution offered addresses the multiple dimensions of the problem with a comprehensive, but individualized, approach. A reliance on bombs, bullets, and warfare alone will not suffice.
The Turkish government's sweeping attempts to muzzle dissent and opposition of the ruling party a... more The Turkish government's sweeping attempts to muzzle dissent and opposition of the ruling party among its citizens has been largely successful. Perhaps emboldened by this success, the Turkish government has seen fit to export its practices to the United States. Just weeks before the start of the prestigious international conference in November of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) in Philadelphia, oicials from the Turkish Embassy tried to intervene and strike from the conference agenda panels — including my own and others that would reveal the truth about Turkey's politicized and corrupt criminal justice system and its arbitrary and inhumane application. The papers in question were based on data and objective empirical research. Fortunately, the ASC conference committee had the wisdom and will to reject the embassy's thoughtless, disrespectful and illegitimate demand. The Philadelphia police provided great security and protection to prevent incidents of excessive and illegal use of force against civilians that happened in Washington just months ago. The question is, how dare can the Turkish Embassy to meddle in academic aairs and academicians in a city that has been historically a welcoming home for " immigrants fleeing political turmoil, persecution … " ?! From time to time, the Turkish government confuses Turkey with the United States in terms of jurisdiction. Let us remember that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's security forces dared to use excessive force against civilians in Washington, injuring several people. Just a few months later, Erdogan's bodyguards used physical force against U.S. protesters on U.S. soil. One American politician described the bodyguards' action as " thuggish behavior " and reminded them that their intervention was illegal in the United States. The Turkish government also confuses the criminal justice and judiciary systems in Turkey with their counterparts in the United States. In the United States, both systems function properly, the judiciary is independent, and a distinction is made between criminals and noncriminals. Suspects in the United States are not jailed and detained arbitrarily for a few years (or more) without evidence that a crime was committed. Due process is accorded to suspects, who are considered to be innocent until proven guilty on the basis of real evidence. In other words, evidence is sought and obtained before — rather than aer — a suspect is detained. Turkish oicials — especially those who are assigned to represent Turkey on U.S. soil — need to be made aware that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects " freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. " The Turkish Embassy's attempt to thwart free speech in the United States is, on some level, understandable, given that such freedom does not exist in Turkey, as an Amnesty International report points out. The report further notes the inhumane treatment — including torture and rape — of detainees.
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, Jan 6, 2018
The purpose of the present study is to produce foresights on terrorism. For the first
time in the... more The purpose of the present study is to produce foresights on terrorism. For the first time in the literature, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling to forecast terrorism. Because the relevant literature suggests that target selection and the places where terrorist attacks occur are related to a group's strategies, we also investigate whether and how violent terrorist acts vary with respect to their surroundings in the same jurisdiction when the ideology is the point of comparison. Separatist and leftist terrorist groups committed 1,152 violent terrorist acts between 2008 and 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. Our analysis begins with a comparison of targets and risk factors by the ideology of the perpetrators for 857 separatist and 295 leftist terrorist incidents. After identifying high-risk locations, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling. The study results showed that context and spatial influence—the risky areas of terrorism—vary by the nature of the ideology in the jurisdiction. Practical implications also are discussed.
Faced with the loss of territory and influence in the Middle East, ISIS is determined to show the... more Faced with the loss of territory and influence in the Middle East, ISIS is determined to show the world that it is still capable of carrying out terrorist attacks despite global efforts to defeat the terrorist group. The latest terror attack in the Rawdah mosque in Egypt, which left 305 casualties — including 27 children — and more than a hundred people injured, is just another example. That may indeed be the case, if the response to terrorism does not go beyond talking about such attacks and their consequences. Terror attacks by ISIS and similarly aligned groups will never end as long as the jihadi Salafism ideology has a source on which to feed and therefore survive. This article discusses some alternative solutions to extremism and violent ideology.
Why do masses follow and even act irrationally? One explanation could be the Magic Bullet Theory.... more Why do masses follow and even act irrationally? One explanation could be the Magic Bullet Theory. This study also provides some examples from the history to shed light on the media effect in Turkey.
The current type of regime in Turkey is democracy on the paper, but autocracy in reality and appl... more The current type of regime in Turkey is democracy on the paper, but autocracy in reality and application. Autocracy is a term describing the regime type, but not the ruler. Therefore, it is not an adequate term to define the Turkey's regime controlled by a supreme ruler.
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Papers by Zakir Gul
If the Erdogan-supported candidate is again defeated, it is highly likely that the Istanbul mayoral election rerun will be a turning point for Turkish democracy—a turning back to Turkish democracy.
The use of the third face of power is clearly on display in Turkey where people believe and obey without question whatever they are told and whatever decisions are made, even though the edicts, such as the declaration of a state of emergency,affect their liberties and may even harm them in the long-run. They have become so convinced that the government is doing what is right and is in the best interest of and for the benefit of the people and the country. Over time, they have become numb to the inequalities and injustices. Ironically, when the people do react, their actions prove detrimental to their own good.
King Saul was a tall man and talented warrior; however, the victory of his army came with David’s slingshot that killed Goliath. King Saul came to power with good intentions and successfully united and gathered people against Goliath and his army. In the end, however, jealousy led to King Saul’s fall from power. He turned his spear toward David and his own people, both of whom he saw as a potential threat to his position of authority. Lord Macbeth was a good warrior and an upstanding man until he listened to the witches and began to pursue his selfish ambitions in a relentless quest for power, to be king. This unchecked ambition transformed Macbeth, leading him to slay King Duncan, only to be killed himself at the hands of Macduff.
time in the literature, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling to forecast terrorism. Because the relevant literature suggests that target selection and the places where terrorist attacks occur are related to a group's strategies, we also investigate whether and how violent terrorist acts vary with respect to their surroundings in the same jurisdiction when the ideology is the point of comparison. Separatist and leftist terrorist groups committed 1,152 violent terrorist acts between 2008 and 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. Our analysis begins with a comparison of targets and risk factors by the ideology of the perpetrators for 857 separatist and 295 leftist terrorist incidents. After identifying high-risk locations, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling. The study results showed that context and spatial influence—the risky areas of terrorism—vary by the nature of the ideology in the jurisdiction. Practical implications also are discussed.
If the Erdogan-supported candidate is again defeated, it is highly likely that the Istanbul mayoral election rerun will be a turning point for Turkish democracy—a turning back to Turkish democracy.
The use of the third face of power is clearly on display in Turkey where people believe and obey without question whatever they are told and whatever decisions are made, even though the edicts, such as the declaration of a state of emergency,affect their liberties and may even harm them in the long-run. They have become so convinced that the government is doing what is right and is in the best interest of and for the benefit of the people and the country. Over time, they have become numb to the inequalities and injustices. Ironically, when the people do react, their actions prove detrimental to their own good.
King Saul was a tall man and talented warrior; however, the victory of his army came with David’s slingshot that killed Goliath. King Saul came to power with good intentions and successfully united and gathered people against Goliath and his army. In the end, however, jealousy led to King Saul’s fall from power. He turned his spear toward David and his own people, both of whom he saw as a potential threat to his position of authority. Lord Macbeth was a good warrior and an upstanding man until he listened to the witches and began to pursue his selfish ambitions in a relentless quest for power, to be king. This unchecked ambition transformed Macbeth, leading him to slay King Duncan, only to be killed himself at the hands of Macduff.
time in the literature, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling to forecast terrorism. Because the relevant literature suggests that target selection and the places where terrorist attacks occur are related to a group's strategies, we also investigate whether and how violent terrorist acts vary with respect to their surroundings in the same jurisdiction when the ideology is the point of comparison. Separatist and leftist terrorist groups committed 1,152 violent terrorist acts between 2008 and 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. Our analysis begins with a comparison of targets and risk factors by the ideology of the perpetrators for 857 separatist and 295 leftist terrorist incidents. After identifying high-risk locations, we test the predictive validity of Risk Terrain Modeling. The study results showed that context and spatial influence—the risky areas of terrorism—vary by the nature of the ideology in the jurisdiction. Practical implications also are discussed.