Military Bases in NATO-US-Turkey Triangle during the Cold War: Change and Continuity

Abstract

Military bases in Turkey constitute an important leg of Turkey-NATO relations. In that sense, establishment of military bases and their use had become the most important elements of the bargaining process between Turkey and NATO during Turkey’s accession to the alliance. The issue of military bases also continued to play a vital role in relations between Turkey and the alliance after Turkey was granted a membership. Turkey’s role in the alliance was very much linked to the use of military bases located in the country throughout the Cold War. This role, at the same time, has brought along series of heated discussions over the status and functions of these bases. It is possible to examine continuity and discontinuity in legal status and functions of military bases deployed by NATO in Turkey in different periods.

Keywords

NATO, Cold War, Hegemony, American Military Bases, İncirlik

Citation

Bölme, Selin M., "Military Bases in NATO-US-Turkey Triangle during the Cold War: Change and Continuity", International Relations, Volume 9, Issue 34 (Summer 2012), pp. 51-71.

Affiliations

• Selin M. BÖLME, Dr., Foreign Policy Research, Politics, Economy and Social Research Foundation (SETA)