Overview

Turkey and the West: From Neutrality to Commitment considers the formulation of Turkish foreign policy in the post-Atatürk period of 1938 to 1958 and discusses Turkey’s uneasy shift from neutrality to become a member of the Western Alliance. Turkey’s decision to ally itself with the Western grouping of states shaped its apprehension of regional and world politics in decades to come. Turkey’s choice, however, was neither adequately perceived nor fully appreciated in the volatile atmosphere of 1950s and onwards and went largely unnoticed on the part of Western democracies. A reinterpretation of Turkey's recent history throws considerable light on the complexities surrounding this strategically important country.

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9780761861898

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"Dr. Çetiner unravels the complexities of the period—from the dark war years in which Turkish vulnerability was manifestly obvious to the outbreak of the Korean War. His perspective is unique, having access to the Archives of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs [which are not open to the public], and his range of contacts with Turkish diplomats. An attentive reading of this book will repay the reader with a greater appreciation of the complex issues of the period and of the difficult evaluations and choices that were made by Turkish leaders. History does not repeat itself, so no direct ""lessons"" can be drawn for the present situation, in which new ambiguities, difficulties and opportunities have arisen; but the study of momentous periods of the recent past carries its own rewards. -- Martin Kolinsky, author of Britain's War in the Middle East: Strategy and Diplomacy, 1936–1942 This book is a study of the key developments in Turkish foreign policy from the second half of the 1930s to the end of 1950s. It represents an important contribution to our understanding of this pivotal period which, in terms of the Turkish role in European and Middle Eastern contemporary history, is yet to be fully explored. An objective and detached analysis of Turkish foreign policy during this often neglected period is very much required in order to fully understand the development of Turkey’s orientation in the world today. -- Pat Walsh, author of Britain’s Great War on Turkey"

Dr. Cetiner unravels the complexities of the period-from the dark war years in which Turkish vulnerability was manifestly obvious to the outbreak of the Korean War. His perspective is unique, having access to the Archives of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs [which are not open to the public], and his range of contacts with Turkish diplomats. An attentive reading of this book will repay the reader with a greater appreciation of the complex issues of the period and of the difficult evaluations and choices that were made by Turkish leaders. History does not repeat itself, so no direct lessons can be drawn for the present situation, in which new ambiguities, difficulties and opportunities have arisen; but the study of momentous periods of the recent past carries its own rewards. -- Martin Kolinsky, author of Britain's War in the Middle East: Strategy and Diplomacy, 1936-1942 This book is a study of the key developments in Turkish foreign policy from the second half of the 1930s to the end of 1950s. It represents an important contribution to our understanding of this pivotal period which, in terms of the Turkish role in European and Middle Eastern contemporary history, is yet to be fully explored. An objective and detached analysis of Turkish foreign policy during this often neglected period is very much required in order to fully understand the development of Turkey's orientation in the world today. -- Pat Walsh, author of Britain's Great War on Turkey

Author Information

Yusuf Turan Çetiner has been a diplomat in the Turkish MFA since 1995. His works and various articles concentrate on the issues of XXth century diplomatic history and problems of reinterpreting major foreign policy issues. Turkey and the West: From Neutrality to Commitment is his first book and a major work completed within the span of more than a decade.

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