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So, rather to my surprise, it seems that at several points in the 19th Century, the Ottoman Empire adopted a pro-Russian stance. Given that Russia beating up on the Ottomans is one of the constants of the 18th and 19th Centuries, I would have thought that the Ottomans would have opposed the Russians at all costs.

It seems that on the Russian side, there was genuine interest in an Ottoman alliance as well - particularly a few years before the Crimean and 1877-1878 wars. However, in both cases, Russian public opinion shifted, and and Russia would make war on the Ottomans to address those opinions.

Given the ways that the attempts to build an alliance between the two failed, I have a hard time seeing an alliance between the two ever working in this period. But, I'm new to this area of history, so maybe there are twists that I don't know about yet.

So for those of you more knowledgeable in Russian and Ottoman history, here is a challenge: make a viable alliance between Russia and the Ottomans in the 19th century that: 1) doesn't end in the Russians or Ottomans stabbing the other in the back, 2) works out to the mutual benefit of both parties and for bonus points 3) have them fight together in a war as a result of either one honouring this alliance.

Over to you guys.

fasquardon
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