Insurgency as complex network: Image co-appearance and hierarchy in the PKK

Despite a growing recognition of the importance insurgent group structure on conflict outcomes, there is very little empirical research thereon. Though this problem rooted in inaccessibility data militant structure, insurgents frequently publish large volumes image internet. In paper, I develop new methodology that leverages abundant but underutilized source by automating creation social network graph based co-appearance photographs using deep learning. Using trove 20,645 obituary images published online PKK, Kurdish Turkey, demonstrate an individual’s centrality resulting closely correlated with their rank group.