TÜBA Turkish-Romanian Joint Military History Symposium
TÜBA, in collaboration with the National Defense University and the Institute for Defense Policy Studies and Military History, organized the Turkish-Romanian Joint Military History Symposium. The symposium program commenced with speeches by TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, Vice-Rector Rear Admiral Mevlüt Savaş Bilican from the National Defense University, Carmen-Sorina Rijnoveanu from the Institute for Defense Policy Studies and Military History, and Gültekin Yıldız, the Dean of the Land Forces Academy.
In his opening remarks, President Şeker expressed his honor to address an esteemed audience and conveyed his satisfaction with the Academy's partnership in the symposium. President Şeker stated, "The symposium analyzed common points in our military histories and provided a broader perspective on regional dynamics and factors influencing the existence and transformation of both nations. Through the exploration of shared military experiences and the discovery of leaders shaping the course of wars and events, we have uncovered the details that connect us to each other."
During the opening session of the symposium, Dean Gültekin Yıldız presided over the proceedings. The following speakers delivered presentations under various topics: Alexandru Madgearu spoke on "The End of the Golden Horde's Domination in the Territory between the Carpathians and the Dniester," Ovidiu Cristea discussed "The Ottoman Empire against Moldavia (1473-1538): An Unbalanced Clash," Bülent Durgun presented on "Austrian-Ottoman Alliance in the Deathbed and Romanian Front," and Carmen-Sorina Rijnoveanu addressed "Romanian-Turkish Military Relations in 1939: The Challenges of the Black Sea Status Quo."
The first session of the program was moderated by Emanuel Plopeanu. Marian Coman spoke about "The Battle for the Throne: Wallachian Pretenders and Ottoman Troops (early 15th - early 17th century)," Ümmü Gülsüm Filiz Bayram discussed "Bucharest and Iași Occupations in the 18th Century in the Context of the 1768 Russian invasion of Bucharest," Silvana Rachieru presented on "The Military Approach to Romanian-Ottoman Diplomatic Relations (1878-1916)," and Hamza Bilgü talked about "(Retd.) Staff Colonel Kenan Kocatürk's Military Attaché Duty in Bucharest during World War II."
Bülent Durgun chaired the second session. Claudiu Lucian Topor presented on "A Troublesome Alliance in a Coalition War: The Ottoman Empire and the Belligerence with Romania (1916-1918)," Metin Ömer discussed "Threat or Factor of Stability? The Perception of Romanian Diplomacy on the Military Developments in Interwar Turkey," Emanuel Plopeanu spoke about "Turkish-Romanian Relations in the Interwar Period: From Mistrust to Understanding," and Demet Aktepe presented on "A Bogdanian Beg in the Ottoman Empire: Dimitrie Cantemir."
On the second day of the symposium, Carmen-Sorina Rijnoveanu chaired the first session. Silvan Ionescu presented on "A Short Pictorial History of the Crimean War," Serban-Filip Cioculescu discussed "The Romanian Principalities and the Crimean War: Interests and Visions in the Theory of International Relations," Bogdan Ceobanu spoke about "Between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire: Romanian Foreign Policy in the late 1876," and Hakkı Öz presented on "Romania and the Turkish Straits: Romania Military Equipment Passing Through the Straits Between 1880-1908."
In the second session led by Alexandru Madgearu, Perihan Karademir presented on "Military Activities of the Mongol Empire in the Geography of Romania: 1241 the Western Expansion of the Mongols," Ovidiu Cristea discussed "Wallachia and Moldavia's Involvement in the Ottoman Campaigns," and Bogdan Popa presented on "Defense into Offensive: The Romanian Army at the Beginning of the 20th century." Following each session, questions were answered.
