Reflections of Atatürk's Middle East policy on Turkish press (1919-1938)

Atatürk's Middle East policy was shaped according to the conditions of the period. During the period of the National Struggle, while Turkey's struggle for independence continued, the Middle Eastern nations also tried to start their own struggle for independence. Turks and Arabs acted together against their common enemy, the imperialists, in order to become independent. Turkish and Arab nationalism united both nations within the framework of common interests and co-operation. The Middle Eastern nations saw Mustafa Kemal as a saviour for the whole Islamic world and the National Struggle as an example. The diplomatic success of the National Struggle was realised with the Treaty of Lausanne. However, border problems with Iraq and Syria, which lived under British and French mandate rule in the Middle East, were experienced and could not be resolved in the first place. The Middle East policy of the Republican period was pursued in a national and peaceful manner. The solution of the problems left over from the Treaty of Lausanne had an important place in foreign policy. Turkey established political relations with Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt during the Republican period. However, the Mosul issue with Iraq and the Sanjak issue with Syria strained political relations with these two states for a while. While the Mosul issue was resolved to Turkey's detriment, the Sanjak issue was resolved in favour of Turkey. With the resolution of these two problems, Turkey's southern border was definitively determined. The leaders and foreign ministers of the Middle Eastern countries who wanted to improve their political relations with Turkey made official visits to Turkey. During these visits, in addition to trying to provide solutions to inter-state problems, the ties of friendship between the countries were also strengthened. Treaties concluded with the Middle Eastern countries also led to an improvement in bilateral relations. Turkey's peaceful endeavours enabled Turkey to take part in a common pact with the Middle Eastern countries. Turkey wanted to take measures to protect its eastern border against the expansionist politics in Europe. For this purpose, the Sadabat Pact, a common line of defence including Turkey, was established. With the participation of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, it was tried to contribute to the Middle East and world peace. While the world was being dragged into a war, Turkey wanted to secure itself by signing treaties that would ensure cooperation and friendship with Middle Eastern countries in its foreign policy. In addition, Turkey has been in common co-operation to ensure peace and tranquility in the Middle East through peaceful policies.