| ID | 112615 |
| Title Proper | Surreptitious lifelines |
| Other Title Information | a structural analysis of the FARC and the PKK |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Eccarius-Kelly, Vera |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The Armed Revolutionary Forces of Columbia (FARC) and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have both demonstrated an uncanny ability to transform themselves and adapt to changing environmental conditions. Integral to the groups are webbed criminal enterprises, cross-border sanctuaries, and internationally-oriented advocacy networks. Both organizations avoided catastrophic breakdowns through a combination of organic survival mechanisms and precise organizational restructuring. Since 2008, the FARC moved away from a centralized wheel structure model toward a system of multiple decision-making nodes. Guerrilla units now operate in an atomized manner since they are often disconnected from the central leadership. This encouraged a growing number of FARC commanders to focus on narco-profits rather than the organization's ideological goals. Meanwhile, the PKK functions in an octopus-like manner, extending its tentacles into neighboring countries and Europe. However, the process of democratization in Turkey and improved international law enforcement collaboration increased internal as well as external pressure on the PKK to restructure. As a result the PKK is struggling to keep its far-reaching tentacles coordinated. The PKK misjudged its ability to manage political groups which weakened its ideological grip, yet the organization's control over criminal and guerrilla branches continues to be as fierce as ever. The FARC's and the PKK's organizational changes suggest that security agencies in Colombia and Turkey need to adapt their counterterrorism strategies also. |
| `In' analytical Note | Terrorism and Political Violence Vol. 24, No.2; Apr-Jun 2012: p.235-258 |
| Journal Source | Terrorism and Political Violence Vol. 24, No.2; Apr-Jun 2012: p.235-258 |
| Key Words | FARC ; Guerrilla Groups ; Network Analysis ; Organizational Structure ; PKK ; Transnational Organized Crime |