The Middle East politics of Turkey between 1960 and 1980

ABSTRACTThis thesis investigates Middle East politics of Turkey between 1960 and 1980. Thepurpose of this thesis is to bring up the subjects and problems which appeared after thepolitics of Turkey inclined towards Middle East when we considered from the point ofimportance of public opinion and political culture.Becoming westernized as an aim from the formation of Turkish republic obstructedthe military bureaucracy to be interested in Middle East in foreign policy of Turkey.Although there were many changes in government between 1960-1980, we couldn?tsee any changes in their programs related to the policy of Turkey inclined towards MiddleEast. Public opinion started to be characteristic component on foreign politics of theconstitution of 1961 and the freedom that it brought.Especially, after 1965, the reaction of Turkish public opinion also played animportant role when Türkiye started to follow a close political line Arabian countries. Publicopinion, as a result of ignorance and lack of interest on foreign politics couldn?t be veryeffective.During 1965 and 1971 period, the press which was active to inform the publicopinion was fairly effective. But negative happenings in inner politics obstructed the publicopinion to be characteristic for a long time. Turkey, having difficulty because of being alonein international platform after 1965, started to become close to Arabian countries.From time to time, despite some descents and ascents in relations, it was seen thatTurkey did not have a strong politics inclined towards Middle East and this caused not to besuccessful in connections.