Abstract: The influence of US involvement in Turkey's military coups is a complex and contentious aspect of Turkish political history. The widespread belief among Turks that the US played a pivotal role in disrupting their democracy is often symbolized by a former CIA agent's alleged statement, “Our boys did it,” alluding to the Turkish military's seizure of power. Despite this individual's limited recognition among the general Turkish population, he is well-connected with the Turkish elite. Through a study of new archival material, this talk examines the relationships between local elites and the American government’s international players to reassess the events surrounding the coup, its antecedents, and its consequences. It aims to offer new insights into democracy and US-Turkish relations during a crucial phase of Cold War geopolitics.
Speaker : Ayça Alemdaroğlu, a political sociologist, leads the Program on Turkey at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. Holding a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Cambridge, she previously served as a Research Professor of Sociology and director of the Keyman Modern Turkish Studies Program at Buffett Institute at Northwestern University.
Welcome message by Samim Akgönül, Head of the Departement of Turkish Studies at University of Strasbourg.
The workshop will take place on March 27, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in the Alex Weill room at the Faculty of Law, University of Strasbourg.
The presentation will be conducted in English.
