No longer viewed as NATO’s most difficult ally, Turkey is rapidly emerging as one of the alliance’s most indispensable strategic partners. The Ankara NATO Summit highlighted a profound geopolitical shift: in an era defined by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, energy insecurity, and great-power competition, Ankara’s geography and diplomatic flexibility have become assets the West can no longer ignore.
Ankara has formally informed Canada that it will join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) as a founding member, becoming part of a new multilateral financial institution expected to mobilise up to £100 billion to strengthen allied defence industries and military capabilities.
Greece's first official response to President Trump's renewed openness toward Turkey's return to the F-35 program. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias questioned whether rearming Ankara serves U.S. strategic interests, warning that NATO's southeastern flank cannot be strengthened by empowering a country that continues to threaten another Alliance member.
A Danish journalist's extraordinary question to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte became the defining political moment of the Ankara Summit, exposing the growing tension between defending the Alliance's unity and confronting Donald Trump's increasingly disruptive rhetoric.
Ankara is attempting to re-enter the F-35 program, but the final decision extends far beyond President Donald Trump. Congress, CAATSA sanctions, the Russian S-400 system, and the regional balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean remain the decisive factors.
At the NATO Summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump signaled a major shift in Washington’s policy toward Turkey, saying the United States would consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara and lift CAATSA sanctions. The remarks could reshape the strategic balance in the Eastern Mediterranean and mark a new chapter in US–Turkey relations.
Addressing the Greek Parliament, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis dismissed speculation about Turkey's possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program, stressing that U.S. legal restrictions remain fully in force. He also described Greek-American relations as being at their strongest point ever, highlighting Greece's strategic defense upgrades and unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national interests.
As NATO leaders gather in Ankara, the alliance's strategic reliance on Turkey is increasingly overshadowing public criticism over democracy, rule of law and human rights, reflecting a broader shift in Western security priorities.
Ahead of next week's NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey argues that the Alliance is not facing a crisis but adapting to an increasingly complex security environment. As Washington urges European allies to shoulder greater defence responsibilities, Ankara is seeking a more influential role in shaping Europe's future security framework.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to maintain sanctions on Turkey and prevent its return to the F-35 fighter jet program, arguing that Ankara’s continued possession of the Russian S-400 system remains incompatible with U.S. law and NATO security.
As Ankara prepares to host one of NATO’s most consequential summits in years, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has intensified domestic security operations, reigniting European concerns over the rule of law and civil liberties. The developments highlight a longstanding dilemma for Western allies: how far can strategic necessity outweigh democratic principles?
Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, has praised the strengthening strategic partnership between Israel, Greece and Cyprus, describing it as a key pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean while launching a sharp attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ankara Raises the Stakes in the Eastern Mediterranean
As Washington and Tehran move toward détente, Ankara sees new opportunities in energy, trade and regional influence — but also the prospect of renewed rivalry with a revitalized Iran.
With a NATO summit in Ankara just weeks away, Hakan Fidan’s trip to Moscow highlights Turkey’s delicate balancing act between Russia and the West — and could determine the future of US sanctions, F-35 negotiations and Ankara’s strategic position within NATO.
The escalating rhetorical clash between Ankara and Jerusalem is no longer symbolic diplomacy—it reflects a deeper contest for regional dominance stretching from Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Patriarch Bartholomew sends a message to Athens and Ankara: minorities must not become hostages of Greek-Turkish relations
In a high-profile appearance on the “Today’s Battlegrounds” podcast, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered clear messages on Turkey, Greece’s strategic alliance with the United States, Europe’s security challenges, and the future of migration policy.
From the Aegean to North Africa, Athens rejects unilateral maritime claims while insisting on dialogue without concessions.
From Montenegro, the President of Cyprus sent a clear signal to all EU candidate countries: progress, reforms and compliance unlock EU accession — including for Türkiye.
Ankara warns Athens and Nicosia against military escalation, but behind the rhetoric lies a deeper struggle over power, energy routes, regional alliances and the future balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
