ISSN: 1011-727X
e-ISSN: 2667-5420

Bülent Şener

Keywords: Dissuasive Diplomacy, The District of Iskenderun, The Hatay Question, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, The Treaty of Ankara (1921)

Abstract

The District of İskenderun (Hatay), which is included in the borders of the National Pact, has always been a vulnerable issue for Turkish foreign policy both in the Period of National Struggle and during and after the Lausanne Peace Treaty. Hatay was excluded from the Treaty of Ankara (1921) as a result of the circumstances of the time and was left out of the National Pact territory by the Lausanne Peace Treaty (1923). However, it became one of the priorities of Turkish foreign policy in the late 1930s. Dissuasive diplomatic strategy was the foundation of Turkish foreign policy during Hatay's annexation into Turkish territory. It was mainly shaped by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's personal attention as well as his realistic and pragmatist behaviors and careful attitude about legitimacy, and by means of international law and diplomacy that led to a great success in Turkish foreign policy. This study will evaluate the foreign policy and dissuasive diplomatic strategy that was followed during Hatay's annexation into Turkish territory and its military, political and legal dimensions.