Turkey’s balancing act: the compartmentalization of securıty and economics, 1945-1980

Abstract

This dissertation explores Turkey’s foreign policy from 1945 to 1980, focusing on its strategies for balancing relations with the superpowers during the Cold War. It challenges the conventional view of Turkey as a steadfast Western ally, instead exploring Ankara’s nuanced approach to pursuing security and economic priorities. Drawing on extensive archival research, the study highlights Turkey’s use of compartmentalization—separating economic and security relations with the United States and the Soviet Union—as a defining feature of its foreign policy. The analysis is divided into three key periods. The first period (1945–1953) examines Turkey’s alignment with the Western bloc in response to Soviet territorial demands and economic vulnerabilities, culminating in its integration into the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and NATO. The second period (1953–1960) traces Turkey’s efforts to diversify by balancing NATO commitments with pragmatic engagements with the Soviet Union. This chapter also addresses Turkey’s embrace of regional diplomacy, including in the Baghdad Pact and the Syrian Crisis. The third period (1960–1980) highlights Turkey’s increasing autonomy, demonstrated by the 1967 Soviet-Turkish Agreement and the 1974 Cyprus intervention, both of which reflected its capacity to navigate superpower dynamics while asserting national interests. The dissertation argues that Turkey’s compartmentalized approach enabled it to maintain strategic flexibility, securing its sovereignty and advancing economic development amidst Cold War tensions. This analysis contributes to understanding middle-power behavior and the complex interplay of security and economics in global geopolitics.