The Impact of Western European Countries' Ambivalent Attitudes on PKK / YPG Recruitment and Positioning: A Policy Analysis of France, Germany, and Belgium

This study examines how the ambivalent counterterrorism policies of Western European countries toward the PKK/YPG terrorist organization are reflected in the recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and their positions within the organization. Although the PKK is officially designated as a terrorist organization by many Western European states, the cooperation between its Syrian affiliate, the PYD/YPG, and the U.S.-led coalition has contributed to the expansion of the organization's perceived international legitimacy. The study adopts a qualitative research design analyzing official government documents, national counterterrorism strategies, and judicial decisions related to France, Germany, and Belgium. By linking foreign terrorist fighter participation to inconsistencies in Western European counterterrorism policies, the study offers an original contribution to the literature on terrorism and security studies.