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“Intermediate” Intelligence: Impact of Turkish Intelligence Services on Turkish War of Independence
Abstract
In my paper I will discuss the emergence of the Turkish intelligence services in the period between the Armistice of Mudros in 1918 till the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and their impact on the Turkish War of Independence (Kemalist Movement) in 1919-1922. I argue that the Secret Organization (Te?kilât-? Mahsusa) of the Ottoman Empire which was very active during the World War I and was officially abolished after the Armistice of Mudros in 1918, was both the structural and staff base for many small secret intelligence organizations and groups which were in action during the following years when Turkish War of Independence took place and the Republic of Turkey was established. In my paper, the focus is on the main activities of these post-war intelligence/ secret organizations, their structural and staff nuances, other features and characteristics. I will discuss the importance of these organizations in the Turkish War of Independence, their relations with Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) and other leaders, international relations (especially with Bolsheviks) and intersections with non-Turkish Intelligence services, mainly with British intelligence service. This period is very important for understanding the whole security system of Turkey not only in the first half of 20th century, but following decades as well entering a long period of transformations and changes. The experience of these organizations, as a legacy of World War I, became crucial for the work of Turkish Intelligence during the early decades of Republican era. In my paper, I use archival documents and newly published books related to the topic, I analyze Turkish official historiography which is very important; I also use speeches and memoires of state officials in Turkey as an additional source for more complete picture. The sources I will use in my conference paper are in Ottoman, Turkish, English, Russian and Armenian.
Discipline
History
Geographic Area
Turkey
Sub Area
None