Turkey and the Soviet Union During World War II: Diplomacy, Discord and International Relations

Turkish-Russian relations have a long history of conflict, but during World War II, they plunged to several degrees below zero due to Ottoman-era Russophobia and long-term apathy from the Germans. This book offers a new interpretation of how Russian foreign policy drove Turkey into a peculiar neutrality in the Second World War, and eventually into NATO, a great reversal of Ataturk-era policies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The deterioration of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Soviet Union during World War II is explored in depth in Onur Isci's study, which makes use of recently uncovered Turkish archival materials. Turkish-Russian relations have a long history of conflict, with periods of improvement and deterioration. During the Second World War, however, relations between Turkey and the Soviet Union reached unprecedented lows, largely due to the resurgence of Ottoman-era Russophobia in Turkish elite circles. For the Russians, hostility stemmed from long-standing apathy resulting from Germany's significant investment in the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, for the Turks, concerns about Russian territorial ambitions drove their hostility.

This book offers a fresh perspective on how Russian foreign policy led Turkey to adopt a peculiar neutrality in the Second World War, ultimately leading to its membership in NATO. Isci argues that this reversal of Ataturk-era policies was not driven solely by realpolitik but rather by the weight of history. He suggests that the move to the west during the Second World War was a result of a combination of factors, including the legacy of the Ottoman Empire, the fear of Russian expansionism, and the desire to align with Western powers to counterbalance Soviet influence.

The study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of international relations during the Second World War and the role that Turkey played in shaping the course of the conflict. It challenges the traditional narratives that have often portrayed Turkey as a passive actor in the war and highlights the significant contributions that it made to the Allied cause. Overall, Onur Isci's study is a valuable addition to the literature on Turkey's history and foreign policy, and it sheds light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between Turkey and the Soviet Union during a critical period in world history.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755636624