How Turkey became NATO’s indispensable partner - and a major force on the global stage - opinion

The Ankara NATO summit in July 2026 marked Turkey's transformation from a difficult ally into a pivotal strategic power. Turkey leads the Black Sea mine-clearance task force, defends the southern flank, and maintains NATO's second-largest land army. Its geographic position makes it a central energy hub, and its defense industry is expanding. The summit addressed NATO's future, with some analysts describing a transition to 'NATO 3.0.' The question now is how to preserve cooperation with Turkey without undermining alliance unity and values.

The Ankara NATO summit on July 7-8, 2026, marked a strategic declaration: Turkey has transformed from a complicated ally into one of NATO's most influential members. Hosting the summit for only the second time, Turkey signaled it is no longer on the sidelines. The article highlights Turkey's paradox: it maintains complex relations, purchased Russian weapons, and generates tensions with Washington, yet holds key strategic assets. Turkey leads the Black Sea mine-clearance task force, defends the southern flank, and has NATO's second-largest land army. Its geographic position makes it a central energy hub, especially given disruptions in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The summit addressed NATO's future, with decisions on security cooperation, defense production, and military infrastructure. Some analysts describe a transition to 'NATO 3.0,' relying more on European responsibility. Turkey's defense industry is expanding, and its weapons exports are rising. The article concludes that Turkey has moved from a difficult partner to a strategic player that cannot be ignored, and the question is how to preserve cooperation without undermining alliance unity and values.