What Failed the 1950-1979 CENTO (Iran-Turkey-Pakistan) alliance

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Never knew UK , and Iraq was involved thank you Pakistani Education System of Zia's time

The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), originally known as the Baghdad Pact or the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom and dissolved in 1979.

US pressure and promises of military and economic aid were key in the negotiations leading to the agreement, but the United States could not initially participate. John Foster Dulles, who was involved in the negotiations as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claimed that was due to "the pro-Israel lobby and the difficulty of obtaining Congressional Approval." Others said that the reason was "for purely technical reasons of budgeting procedures."

In 1958, the US joined the military committee of the alliance. It is generally viewed as one of the least successful of the Cold War alliances.

The organization's headquarters were in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1955 to 1958 and in Ankara, Turkey, in 1958 to 1979. Cyprus was also an important location for CENTO because of its location in the Middle East and the British Sovereign Base Areas on the island.


Timeline

• 1954 February: Turkey signed a Pact of Mutual Cooperation with Pakistan.
• 24 February 1955: A military agreement was signed between Iraq and Turkey, and the term "Baghdad Pact" started to be used. Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom join the Baghdad Pact.
• 1959 March: The new republican regime of Iraq withdrew the country from the alliance.
• 19 August 1959: METO renamed CENTO.
• 1965: Pakistan tried to get help from its allies in its war against India. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 211 on September 20 and the United States and the United Kingdom supported the UN decision by cutting off arms supplies to both belligerents.
• 1971: In a new war with India, Pakistan again tried unsuccessfully to get allied assistance. (The U.S. provided limited military support to Pakistan, but not under the rubric of CENTO.)
• 1979: The new government of Islamic Republic of Iran withdrew the country from CENTO.

The silent players

Seems like the 1955-1979 CENTO was pawn to UN and security council

 

[Humble Analyst]

The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), originally known as the Baghdad Pact or the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom and dissolved in 1979.

US pressure and promises of military and economic aid were key in the negotiations leading to the agreement, but the United States could not initially participate. John Foster Dulles, who was involved in the negotiations as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claimed that was due to "the pro-Israel lobby and the difficulty of obtaining Congressional Approval." Others said that the reason was "for purely technical reasons of budgeting procedures."

In 1958, the US joined the military committee of the alliance. It is generally viewed as one of the least successful of the Cold War alliances.

The organization's headquarters were in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1955 to 1958 and in Ankara, Turkey, in 1958 to 1979. Cyprus was also an important location for CENTO because of its location in the Middle East and the British Sovereign Base Areas on the island.


Timeline

• 1954 February: Turkey signed a Pact of Mutual Cooperation with Pakistan.
• 24 February 1955: A military agreement was signed between Iraq and Turkey, and the term "Baghdad Pact" started to be used. Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom join the Baghdad Pact.
• 1959 March: The new republican regime of Iraq withdrew the country from the alliance.
• 19 August 1959: METO renamed CENTO.
• 1965: Pakistan tried to get help from its allies in its war against India. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 211 on September 20 and the United States and the United Kingdom supported the UN decision by cutting off arms supplies to both belligerents.
• 1971: In a new war with India, Pakistan again tried unsuccessfully to get allied assistance. (The U.S. provided limited military support to Pakistan, but not under the rubric of CENTO.)
• 1979: The new government of Islamic Republic of Iran withdrew the country from CENTO.

The silent players

It was not serving any purpose to the powers, Pakistan and Iran were redifining the relationship. Even during the last days of Ayub Iran did things to annoy Ayub and go against Pakistani interests. I am not sure about why Turkey was not so enthusiastic about CENTO

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

The main country Iraq , parted early due to Military coup

Then Iran went out due to revolution
For Pakistan the sincerity was not there for Military help due to UN sanctions

Turkey remained neutral which is understandable it was not clear what the goals were for organization

Now UK , again that same player , moving the pawns and then distancing itself first from any conflict

For Modern Age CENTO or similar org , the sincerity needs to exist


I think making Treaties and Alliances is great but follow thru is needed , and history should be recorded accurately so future generations learn the mistakes of past


* The Pakistani Books I read never mentioned Iraq or UK
* No mention of the UN backstab hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm dodgy curricula

 

[Thorough Pro]

SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization comprised United States, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan ).

SENTO (


Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey formed RCD (Regional Cooperation for Development), there used to be a highway too that was called RCD highway linking the three countries. The thing fell apart after Iran revolution.

Never knew UK , and Iraq was involved thank you Pakistani Education System of Zia's time

The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), originally known as the Baghdad Pact or the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom and dissolved in 1979.

US pressure and promises of military and economic aid were key in the negotiations leading to the agreement, but the United States could not initially participate. John Foster Dulles, who was involved in the negotiations as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claimed that was due to "the pro-Israel lobby and the difficulty of obtaining Congressional Approval." Others said that the reason was "for purely technical reasons of budgeting procedures."

In 1958, the US joined the military committee of the alliance. It is generally viewed as one of the least successful of the Cold War alliances.

The organization's headquarters were in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1955 to 1958 and in Ankara, Turkey, in 1958 to 1979. Cyprus was also an important location for CENTO because of its location in the Middle East and the British Sovereign Base Areas on the island.


Timeline

• 1954 February: Turkey signed a Pact of Mutual Cooperation with Pakistan.
• 24 February 1955: A military agreement was signed between Iraq and Turkey, and the term "Baghdad Pact" started to be used. Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom join the Baghdad Pact.
• 1959 March: The new republican regime of Iraq withdrew the country from the alliance.
• 19 August 1959: METO renamed CENTO.
• 1965: Pakistan tried to get help from its allies in its war against India. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 211 on September 20 and the United States and the United Kingdom supported the UN decision by cutting off arms supplies to both belligerents.
• 1971: In a new war with India, Pakistan again tried unsuccessfully to get allied assistance. (The U.S. provided limited military support to Pakistan, but not under the rubric of CENTO.)
• 1979: The new government of Islamic Republic of Iran withdrew the country from CENTO.

The silent players

Seems like the 1955-1979 CENTO was pawn to UN and security council

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

It needs to be revived. Turkey-Iran-Pakistan need to create a united front without any Western players.

It needs to be a unified political front to prevent further disintegration, foreign control of the region, particularly in relation to CARs, Kurdish regions, Balkans, and Afghanistan.

Iran can find some support in the Sunni Muslim world which will give it legitimacy and protection, Turkey can further its friendship with Iran, and Pakistan can balance ties between GCCC and Iran.

A new front can be created for Non-Arab countries of Southwest Asia, who are historically influenced by Turco-Persian Islamic culture.

 

[Yankee-stani]

It needs to be revived. Turkey-Iran-Pakistan need to create a united front without any Western players.

It needs to be a unified political front to prevent further disintegration, foreign control of the region, particularly in relation to CARs, Kurdish regions, Balkans, and Afghanistan.

Iran can find some support in the Sunni Muslim world which will give it legitimacy and protection, Turkey can further its friendship with Iran, and Pakistan can balance ties between GCCC and Iran.

A new front can be created for Non-Arab countries of Southwest Asia, who are historically influenced by Turco-Persian Islamic culture.

With backing of the PRC and the BRI I think we have opportunity to do so however the west will try its best to use any cracks between the middle powers(Iran,Turkey,Pakistan,Saudi and Indonesia) again the US once in a while will use the "Muslim card" to rally around Muslim countries against their rival superpowers they did with the Soviets in the 80s now they are trying to do the same with the PRC

 

[nahtanbob]

It needs to be revived. Turkey-Iran-Pakistan need to create a united front without any Western players.

It needs to be a unified political front to prevent further disintegration, foreign control of the region, particularly in relation to CARs, Kurdish regions, Balkans, and Afghanistan.

Iran can find some support in the Sunni Muslim world which will give it legitimacy and protection, Turkey can further its friendship with Iran, and Pakistan can balance ties between GCCC and Iran.

A new front can be created for Non-Arab countries of Southwest Asia, who are historically influenced by Turco-Persian Islamic culture.

Iran has zero interest. Just stating the plain obvious.

 

[Microsoft]

Iran has zero interest. Just stating the plain obvious.

Sure thing Rajesh.

 

[Kambojaric]

CENTO in the shape it existed was a product of the cold war (anti-communist alliance). With Iran undergoing a revolution and Iraq a coup, half the members disappeared, hence why the US subsequently engaged anti-communist countries in the region directly rather than through an organization.

 

[Zee-shaun]

Are you talkimg about RDC? Regional Develeopment Cooperation?

 

[nahtanbob]

CENTO in the shape it existed was a product of the cold war (anti-communist alliance). With Iran undergoing a revolution and Iraq a coup, half the members disappeared, hence why the US subsequently engaged anti-communist countries in the region directly rather than through an organization.

the iran revolution was in 1979. CENTO was founded in 1958. that is 21 years timeframe.

 

[untitled]

* The Pakistani Books I read never mentioned Iraq or UK

I am pretty sure the pacts of SEATO and CENTO are mentioned in Pakistani history books.

 

[CrazyZ]

Cento was an anti soviet military alliance. Not a true regional pact.

 

[untitled]

Cento

So was SEATO which Pakistan was also a member of. To be honest Pakistan was not really fearful of the Communist threat but these pacts did provide Pakistan with many goodies in the form of American weapons which were desperately needed