Soviet-American Politics and the Turkish Straits
In light of the growing concern over Turkey's future in the NATO alliance at a time when Soviet interest and influence in the eastern Mediterranean have increased, the postwar test of diplomatic strength between the United States and the Soviet Union over the status of the Turkish Straits acquires greater significance. Since much of the 1946 debate concerning revision of the Montreux Convention involved an interpretation of Turkey's role as custodian of the Straits during the war, it is necessary to review in detail the origins of Turkish neutrality, Turkey's wartime record as guardian of the Straits, and discussions among the Allied powers relative to revision of the Montreux Convention. These episodes in the complex history of the Straits question constitute the immediate background and framework for the 1946 political and diplomatic confrontation; and the origins, outcome, and significance of that confrontation are critical to any understanding of the substance and texture of Soviet-American rivalry in Europe and the Middle East after World War II.