A model for Afghanistan in the reign of Emanullah Khan: Turkey

Due to her geographic and strategic importance Afghanistan has always been on the target as a key country in the history. Hence, the lands of Afghanistan which captured by Persians, Macedonians, Arabs and Mongols since 500 BC, has been a battlefield whose occupier power changed whereas the bloodshed never ended. Since 19th century Afghanistan, where had been the battlefield of hegemony between Britain and Russia, succeeded in its fight against imperial powers and obtained independence.Then Afghan leader Emanullah Khan was seeking recognition of his country after the independence, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched a major fight against the allied forces. Hence, it would not be surprise these two leaders would come across eventually. The legendary fights given these two leaders against imperial powers got two countries closer and built such a strong friendship between them. The reforms made by Atatürk in order to deal with the backwardness and his approach to international affairs have always been a model for Emanullah Khan in shaping the future of his country. Strong relations between them made its peak by Emanullah Khan's visit to Turkey. As a general officer thanks to his geopolitical far-sight, Mustafa Kemal perfectly assessed the strategic importance of Turkey and he never disregarded the Turkic and Islamic nations in the East, while he was planning to be a part of the Western civilization. Considering it as a door for Turks to civilized world Mustafa Kemal attached primary importance to Afghanistan which regarded young republic of Turkey as a role model for Muslim nations. Thus, Afghanistan and Turkey built such strong solidarity. It is obvious that both leaders made great effort in order to creat modern countries. However, Emanullah Khan could not accomplish his modernity project because of his failure in considering the rigid social structure of Afghanistan, whereas Mustafa Kemal made a great success in implementing the crucial reforms which were vital for creation of a modern country.After the reign of Emanullah Khan, chaos in Afghanistan never ended. Even though, this chaos caused instability in relation with Turkey from time to time, it never weakened the solidarity between two countries.Key Words: Afghanistan, Emanullah Khan, Ataturk, imperialism, independence, relations.