ABSTRACT
The object of this article is to detail and analyse the gradual stages in the formation of the British Middle East Command and the admission of Turkey to NATO. After first examining the Anglo-American compromise which permitted Turkey’s admission into NATO while committing it to supporting the British initiative to form a Middle East Command, the article analyses the way in which this support was given, the failure of the Middle East Command project and the admission of Turkey to NATO. It deals with Turkey’s campaign for NATO membership and the origins of her involvement in the Middle East Command. It also examines Turkey’s role in the abortive attempt to implement the Middle East Command. It identifies the linkage between Turkey’s participation in the Middle East Command and her admission to NATO. The article is based on British and American archival material as well as primary sources in English and Turkish.
