Turkey's NATO Policy: Balancing Alliance Commitment and Strategic Autonomy (osw.waw.pl)

• NATO is Turkey's security bedrock but Ankara seeks strategic autonomy.
• Divergent threat perceptions cause tensions with allies: Russia vs. Middle East instability.
• Turkey participates in NATO missions and hosts key infrastructure; summit in July 2026.

"NATO remains the cornerstone of Turkey's security, but Ankara pursues strategic autonomy, seeking to be seen as indispensable to the Alliance's south-eastern flank. Tensions persist with allies over divergent threat perceptions: while NATO focuses on Russia, Turkey prioritizes instability in the Middle East and terrorism. Ankara participates in allied activities, including air policing and exercises, but maintains ties with Russia. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara (7-8 July 2026) provides a platform to assert its role."