Turkish Foreign Policy, 1774-2000

by William Hale

Turkey and its predecessor state, the Ottoman Empire, have been at the centre of international relations for centuries. By the late eighteenth century, what had once been the dominant power in the eastern Mediterranean and south-east Europe was gradually falling apart. For the European statesmen of the nineteenth century, it had become the 'eastern question' - a complex problem of conflicts and alliances, which also raised difficult and sometimes insoluble questions for the Turks themselves. After the collapse of the empire at the end of the First World War, Turkey was reconstructed as a nation-state by Kemal Ataturk and his colleagues, committed to modernist goals. While there were important elements of continuity between the foreign policies of the old empire and the new republic, the challenges of the twentieth century also presented Turkey's rulers with new questions and policy options. Skilful diplomacy was an essential factor in the survival of the state, both during the Second World War and in the Cold War period, in which Turkey became a vital member of the NATO alliance. After the Cold War, Turkey's international role, at the cross-roads between the Balkans, the Middle East and Transcaucasia, and as an aspiring member of the European Union, acquired new complexity and importance. This is the first attempt to bring the whole story of Turkish foreign relations together in a comprehensive survey. For those mainly interested in Turkey's modern history, the book will fill a clear gap in the literature. For those with a broader interest in international history, the book offers important pointers as to how medium-sized states have acted in the changing international environment in the past 200 years. This revised, updated edition contains a new Preface and an extended Postscript, covering events up to 2002.

Genres: International Relations, Academic, Politics, Nonfiction

392 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2000

Reviews

[Duru · Rating 5 out of 5]

William hale…hocaların hocası…sen yoksan biz bir hiçiz

[Tareq Bitar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Book provides a deep analysis and detailed description of the historical events.

More importantly, it links the internal political variables, with the formations of the external relations

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read extensively on the Ottoman Empire and the a Republic of Turkey. Hale’s book covers every key event since 1774. His writing is clear and well sourced. I highly recommend it for scholars, students, and anyone who wants to understand factors impacting the unresolved Eastern Question.

[Muhammed KARAKUŞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeni bir dizgiciye ihtiyacı olduğu kesin. Ancak kısa bir özetle önemli noktalara değinerek TDP'yi anlatan önemli bir yapıt. Akademik tarzdan uzak bir ifade tarzıyla geçmişi günümüze taşıyor.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best analysis of the Turkish foreign policy. Well-documented, great sources and incredibly captivating.

[Cem Ertül · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, to the point and rational analysis

[Murat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rusya'yla yapılan Küçük Kaynarca Anlaşması'ndan milenyuma sırasıyla Osmanlı ve Türk dış politikasını süreklilik ve kopuş dinamiklerini dikkate alarak neorealist bir bakış açısıyla ele alan gayet doyurucu ve titiz bir anlatım. Özellikle bu dinamiklerin üst belirleyeninin her daim Ruslar olduğu görmek ve muhtemelen böyle devam edeceğini hissetmek çarpıcıydı. Ancak kitabın Soğuk Savaş sonrası dönemi ele alan bölümleri tutarlı bir analiz üretmekten uzaklaşarak detaylarda boğulmuş. Bu durumda yazarın tüm süreci ele alırken destek aldığı teorik ön kabullerin (iki ve çok kutuplu dünyada orta kuvvette bir ülke olarak Türkiye'nin seçenekleri ve zorunlulukları) 1990 sonrasında dünyada yeterince iş görmemesi etkili olmakla beraber Türkiye'nin temiz bir dış politika üretmekten uzak koalisyonlar döneminin somut çıktıları da tesirde bulunmuştur. Yine de 9/11 saldırılarının daha yaşanmadığı ve AKP'nin henüz iktidara gelmediği bir dönemde yapılmış bu analiz, geçen 20 yılı ve bugünü daha sakin bir kafayla ele almaya imkan tanıyor.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it provides a good overview on its subject, this book is a big yawner stylistically and refrains from going into the anecdotes and personal details that make this sort of thing interesting to read about. I'm sure Turkish foreign policy, 1774-2000 was all very enthralling for the people who lived it, but why can't it be the same for those of us who must read it?

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book to understand fundamentals of the Turkish Foreign Policy. It can be read from beginning to end. But it's also suitable to read the chapters that you are interested in.

[Anthony Derisiotis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive analysis of the turkish foreign policy by a distinguished scholar.