Turkey is hosting the NATO summit this week, where national leaders are expected to reaffirm the alliance's principle of collective defense. The summit comes at a time when the alliance is reassessing its strategic identity amid shifting US priorities in Europe and an evolving Russian threat environment.
Turkey's leaders see the country's strategic relevance for NATO on the rise, given its strong military, advanced defense industry, and effective diplomacy. The country's growing defense sector is one of the assets to be showcased at the summit.
However, Turkey's newfound clout may face political obstacles, particularly in its relationship with the European Union. Analysts note that Turkey's exclusion from the SAFE program, despite being a NATO ally, demonstrates the challenges it may face.
