This issue begins, as usual, with the article entitled "Facts and Comments", in which issues regarding Turkish-Armenian bilateral relations, Armenian genocide allegations and their international ramifications as well as the other related developments in Turkey and Armenia that took place in the first half of 2008 are examined. Within this context, recent discussions for the opening of Turkish-Armenian border, renewed attempts for passing resolutions recognizing Armenian genocide allegations in Argentina, Israel and Bulgaria, Armenian presidential elections and its prospective implications on Turkish-Armenian relations are covered.
As the fourth one of a series of articles published in this journal, in his recent article entitled "Establishment and Activities of the French Eastern Legion in the Light of French Archival Documents (November 1917-April 1918)" Mustafa Serdar Palabiyik examines the disputes between Armenian and Syrian components of the Legion, disruption of volunteer recruitments from Latin America and the attempt of some prominent Armenians to participate in the Legion.
In his article entitled "The French-Armenian Relations in the Light of the Published Ottoman Archival Documents (1879-1918)", Yildiz Deveci Bozkuş elaborate upon the Armenian-French relations particularly on the basis of Ottoman Armenians' migration to France, the activities of Armenians in this country, the French diplomats' support to Armenians, and the relations between French missionaries and Armenians in the light of Ottoman archival documents published by the General Directorate of State Archives.
Pinar Özbek analyzes, in her article entitled "US-Turkish Relations and the Effects of American Missionary Activities on US Foreign Policy towards Turkey", the US policy towards Turkey around three basic issues, namely missionary activities, the Armenian Question and the Near East Relief Society (NERS), which, for the most part were highly effective in shaping American foreign policy. Therefore, the focus of the study will be on the interaction of the politics and the religion in the US case.
Melek Sarı examines the Ottoman millet system and the Ottoman-Armenian relations within the context of Ottoman political structure as well as the nationalist tendencies prevalent in the nineteenth century in her article entitled "Armenians in the Ottoman Millet System and the Reasons for the Emergence of Armenian Nationalism".
There are also two reviews of the books edited by Ahmed Akgunduz, Said Oztürk and Recep Kara, entitled Sorularla Ermeni Sorunu (Armenian Problem in Questions) and written by Assist. Prof. Dr. Gürsoy whin, entitled Osmanli Devletinde Katolik Ermeniler: Sivasli Mkhitar ye Mihitaristler (1676-1749) (Catholic Armenians in The Ottoman State: Mkhitar Of Sebastia And Mkhitarists (1676-1749) as well as a list of recent publication.
With best wishes...
The Editor