Turkey and the United States: The Arms Embargo Period

This volume examines the impact of the arms embargo imposed by the United States against Turkey in 1974. The author concludes that the arms embargo as a tool of influence did not achieve the desired results for two reasons. First, the arms embargo, while widely used by the United States, almost never had the intended effect on the policies of the targeted state. Second, Turkish concerns about the nature of their relationship with the United States were exacerbated by the stress of the embargo. United States insensitivity to Turkish history and culture and Turkey’s inability to understand American policies contributed greatly to the difficulties faced by the United States and Turkey in maintaining an alliance relationship during the embargo period.