Aims: This study investigates the military and political role of the Ottoman and Turkish leader Kazım Karabekir, a pivotal figure in the late Ottoman Empire and the foundation of the modern Turkish Republic. It analyzes his military command during World War I (1914–1918), his contributions to the Turkish National Movement and the War of Independence (1919–1922), and his subsequent political career following the Republic’s establishment, particularly during the presidency of İsmet İnönü. Methodology: A historical-analytical approach is employed, based on a critical review of Ottoman and modern Turkish sources, including military records and political documents pertaining to Karabekir’s career. The methodology involves reconstructing and assessing the key military and political events in which he participated to elucidate his influence on the late Ottoman state and the formative period of the Turkish Republic. Results: The analysis identifies Kazım Karabekir as a leading military commander in the late Ottoman period, recognized for his operational successes during World War I. His strategic importance increased during the National Struggle, where he executed critical missions on the Eastern Front with notable efficacy, earning him honorific titles such as "Conqueror of the East" and "Conqueror of Armenia." Following the Republic’s establishment in 1923, Karabekir transitioned into politics, emerging as a significant figure during İnönü’s presidency. His political influence culminated in his election as President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey after the 1946 legislative elections, a position he held until his death in 1948. Conclusions: The study concludes that Kazım Karabekir was a seminal figure in modern Turkish history, whose legacy spans military leadership and political engagement. His contributions during the War of Independence and his legislative leadership in the early Republican era cemented his status as a foundational actor in shaping the political and military trajectory of Turkey.
Qais Asaad Shaker (Mon,) studied this question.