TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY DURING THE COLD WAR ERA (1945-1990)

This article examines the evolution of Turkish foreign policy during the Cold War era (1945–1990), highlighting its strategic orientation, key turning points, and underlying dynamics. Initially shaped by the Soviet threat and territorial demands in 1945, Turkey adopted a firmly pro-Western stance, culminating in its accession to NATO in 1952 and participation in regional security pacts such as the Balkan and Baghdad Pacts. The study traces how Turkey’s foreign policy, anchored in Western alignment, gradually diversified in response to changing international conditions, including détente, the Cyprus crisis, and the emergence of a multipolar world order. The analysis explores critical phases: the consolidation of Western ties (1945–1965), the shift toward a more balanced approach following the Johnson Letter and Cyprus crisis (1965–1973), the active diplomacy and strategic recalibration after the 1974 Cyprus operation (1973–1983), and the deepening of U.S. relations amid regional challenges and European integration efforts (1983–1991). Drawing on archival sources and scholarly literature, the article argues that while Turkey maintained its Western orientation throughout the Cold War, it simultaneously pursued pragmatic adjustments to safeguard national interests, manage regional conflicts, and respond to global transformations.