Sultan Murad II's Policy towards Italy and the Balkans (1421-1451 AD)

Objectives: The study aims to study a crucial period in Ottoman history in the Balkans prior to the conquest of Constantinople, along with the foreign relations with Italy. The alliance between the Balkans and the Italian Republic posed a significant threat to the Ottoman Empire and presented a major obstacle to the conquest of Constantinople. The study comprises four main areas of focus such as a brief biography of Sultan Murad II, relations with the Italian Republic, the Union of Hungary and Serbia, and open Arnaut (Albania). Methods: The study adopts a critical historical narrative analysis approach to examine the events. Authentic Ottoman sources, as well as modern Turkish and foreign studies, serve as the primary references. Additionally, translated Arabic studies and research are mentioned in the list of resources and references section. Results: This research has revealed several important findings. One significant outcome pertains to the restoration of Albania under the dominance of the Ottoman Empire, which contributed to political stability in the Balkans. Conclusions: The victories and factors explored in this study ultimately played a role in the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh, the son of Sultan Murad II, in 1453 AD.