Tomáš Kaválek’s Dissertation “Comparative Analysis of PKK Insurgencies in the Middle East in 2004-18”

Date of publication: February 12, 2021

Tomáš Kaválek of Prague Centre for Middle East Relations (PCMR) of CEVRO Institute defended his dissertation “Comparative Analysis of PKK Insurgencies in the Middle East in 2004-18: Examining Conditions for Insurgent Behaviour” and was awarded Ph.D. in Political Science at Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University in Brno.

The presented comparative case study of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) insurgencies in Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran in 2004-18 examines variations of insurgent behaviour in different areas and over time. It asserts that the context of insurgencies such as horizontal inequalities, incumbent’s policies and power, or presence of active rivalry are determinant in shaping insurgents’ choice of behaviour. The PKK opts for a mix of violent and non-violent behaviour depending on the context. Incumbent’s policies and power appear to be crucial factors influencing insurgents’ choices.