Turkey Emerges as Europe's Indispensable Security Anchor Two Decades After Last NATO Summit

Twenty-two years after the last NATO summit in Trkiye, the security situation has changed completely. Europes security depends on Ankara more than ever.Opinion l Yasin Bas https://t.co/woWY3g8kbY https://t.co/K0icqxOlBZ News Analysis & Summary Twenty-two years since NATO last convened in Turkey, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. The Cold War-era threats have been replaced by hybrid warfare, terrorism, energy insecurity, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Turkey, straddling Europe and Asia, controls the Black Sea straits, hosts millions of refugees, and operates the second-largest standing army in NATO. Its unique position makes it the linchpin of European securitywhether managing migration flows, countering Russian aggression, or safeguarding energy routes. In my opinion, Europe can no longer afford to treat Turkey as a peripheral partner. Ankara's strategic leverage has grown precisely because of its ability to act independently while remaining within the Alliance. The challenge is mutual: Europe must acknowledge Turkey's legitimate security concerns, while Turkey must align with collective democratic values. Without a constructive partnership, both sides face greater instability. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 4,320 Likes: 9 Shares: 3 Published: June 29, 2026, 5:15 pm