Soğuk Savaş Sürecinde Komünizme Karşı Türkiye’nin Uluslararası Güvenlik ve Savunma İşbirlikleri Kurma Çabaları: Balkan Paktı ve İttifakı
Turkey’s Efforts to Establish International Security and Defense Pacts against Communism in the Cold War Era: Balkan Pact and Alliance

Summary/Abstract: The Second World War, with regard to its consequences, was one of the most important developments of the 20th century. The devastating effect of the war manifested itself in almost all European cities, particularly in Germany. Millions lost their lives in this war and all belligerents suffered from it. On the other hand, the Second World War is of great importance not only for the destruction it caused but also for the radical changes it brought along in the international relations. Immediately after the war, international relations were rearranged on an ideological basis. Consequently, international relations turned into a confrontation zone where capitalist states led by the United States and communist states led by the Soviet Union clashed. The Soviet efforts to spread communism worldwide and the policies it pursued to this end caused a deep concern in the capitalist states, primarily in the USA. Therefore, the struggle against communism initiated by the USA shortly grew worldwide and resulted in significant developments in regions close to the communism sphere thanks to the American incentive. Thus, the security and defense problem in strategically important regions such as the Balkans, the Middle East and Turkey necessitated the search for cooperation. In this regard, Turkey, as a state located close to the communism threat, took its position by the Western Powers led by the USA and became a member of the NATO in 1952. Accordingly, Turkey initiated its efforts to build a security and defense zone against communism. As a result, thanks to the intense efforts of Turkey, the Balkan Pact was formed on 28 February 1953 with the participation of Turkey, Greece and Yugoslavia. One year later, the pact was transformed into the Balkan Alliance, a military defense treaty, on 9 August 1954 as a result of Turkish efforts, establishing an important cooperation against the communist threat.

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