The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany immediately voiced concerns over the Kurdish Peoples Protection Unit (YPG) in the region, who had spearheaded the fight against the Islamic State, and were left vulnerable following Erdogans oppression of Turkish Kurds. Even on the interests frontIncirlik Air Base has been central to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the ISIS erahitches came up. But as NATO begins to reorient itself in a world where China, not Russia, is the largest military competitor, having Turkey present as a fully contributing member is more essential than ever. Following the purchase of Russian Anti-Aircraft missile systems, the United States removed Turkey from the multinational F-35 program and withdrew from its sales agreement with Turkey over fears that Russian forces would now have access to the next generation aircraft. Separately, at the United Nations Security Council, the NATO allies France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Poland introduced a statement condemning Turkeys incursion into Syria. @gmail.com. Look again at the line-up: Turkey is the odd one out and the sole Nato member, ranged Although the article doesnt conclude that NATO would be better off without Turkey, it does argue that Turkey is currently undermining NATOs interests. Results of recent local elections and the rerun of the Istanbul mayoral elections have turned attention to domestic politics in Turkey. Turkeys utility as a NATO member is one of many reasons the organization has been reluctant to distance itself. Below are resources related to the current resolution: On balance, Turkeys membership is beneficial to the North Atlantic Treaty This would be the exact opposite of the intended outcome. A senior State Department official told reporters yesterday that the Turkish attacks on northeastern Syria targeting Kurdish fighters who have been Americas best partners in defeating ISIS in the country would help no onenot even Turkey. If these same NATO allies are now flirting with Putin unapologetically, the U.S. should adjust the extent of its obligation to those whose interests lie opposite of American interests. Although the article doesnt take a strong stand against Turkeys NATO membership, it does argue at various points that membership has undermined NATO cohesion, resulted in the veto of protecting the Baltics from Russian aggression, undermined cooperation against ISIS, and resulted in dangerous Russian technology access. 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Thus, other than the termination of the need for these indispensable security benefits or the existence of a better alternative, a divergence in policy preferences among allies even a major divergence may not be a sufficient reason to end an alliance. A second person with knowledge of the Turkish governments thinking told Breaking Defense that, if Erdogen retains power, he would want to see movements from Sweden on counter-terorirsm efforts before releasing his hold. Turkey remains as indispensable member of NATO for 69 years (2021). From NATOs perspective, Turkeys departure from the alliance and the possibility of Ankara becoming an adversary would be a significant setback. The former brings considerable risks to Turkeys already fragile economy, whereas the latter not only deprives Turkey of F35s, it would also be detrimental to Turkish defense firms. Turkey can be a valuable member who provides geostrategic security due to its proximity to Russia, but that same proximity creates a vulnerability in the alliance if Erdogan acts against the will of NATO members. Turkey still contributes to the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and NATOs peacekeeping operation in Kosovo. However, NATO can only work effectively if it maintains legitimacy and unity in its ideals and goals goals which Turkey has failed to honor. The punitive measures that the United States announced in response to Turkeys S400 deal are unprecedented in postCold War bilateral relations. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac5dad2c77c59c582289e0d9616cc394" );document.getElementById("h3a3b068d5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Journal encourages a variety of views. During the early Cold War, Turkey agreed to basing U.S. nuclear bombers and IRBMs on its territory, making Turkey a nuclear target for the USSR. (Theres actually no clear legislative way to do thisthe NATO charter doesnt contemplate kicking out members, though members can leave on their own, as Greece did over its dispute with Turkey.) In 2019, after years of toeing the line between cozy relations with Russia and the West, Turkey appeared to put the death knell in its NATO credibility, purchasing Russian-made S-400 defense systems, booting Turkey from the F-35 joint strike fighter program. All hope would not be lost for Sotckholm, as Ulgen doesnt believe Erdogan would block Swedens membership forever, particualrly given how annoyed it has made other NATO allies and the risk of economic impact as a result, particuarlly from the US. Cookie Notice This deterrence is no less important than having particular weapons, such as S-400s. 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For further information on our quality control procedures, please visit the SWP website: https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/about-swp/ quality-management-for-swp-publications/, German Institute for International and SecurityAffairs, Ludwigkirchplatz 3410719 BerlinTelephone +49 30 880 07-0Fax +49 30 880 07-100www.swp-berlin.orgswp@swp-berlin.org, Turkey between NATO and Russia: TheFailed Balance, SWP Comment 2019/C 30, 28.06.2019, 4 Seiten, would not put the peace and deterrence pro, with Russia, as membership eases the threat, Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and, political reasons in justifying the purchase of, they could have purchased alternatives from, weapon purchases unite people behind Erdo, https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/about-swp/ quality-management-for-swp-publications/, Digitalisierung Cyber Internet: Die Rolle des Digitalen in der internationalen Politik, Die USA und die transatlantischen Beziehungen, Foresight: Vorausschau auf mgliche berraschungen, Die Gemeinsame Auen- und Sicherheitspolitik der EU, Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine und seine Folgen, Centrum fr angewandte Trkeistudien (CATS). The U.S. has sanctioned Turkey and urged Erdogan to reverse the decision. Which all now seems a bit rich, given that the current leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, a self-avowed champion of the Muslim Brotherhood, has changed the constitution, rerun elections that didnt favor his political party, and led a crackdown on journalists and political dissenters, as well as a purge of thousands suspected of involvement in a failed 2016 coup. The Turkish minister of foreign affairs also reiterated that the S-400 issue is a done deal and may not be annulled. This is especially true during a time in which nationalism is on rise in Turkey. How does Turkey-Azerbaijan military alliance fit into Russias demands for NATO? Seeking more autonomy in the international arena and making sovereign decisions concerning weapon purchases unite people behind Erdoan. The latter may create a path dependency for Turkey, which may become more reliant on the Russian defense industry. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Parliament. He is the author of EMP Manhattan Project: Organizing For Survival Against An Electromagnetic Pulse Catastrophe (2018), The Long Sunday (2016), Blackout Wars (2015), Apocalypse Unknown (2014) and Electric Armageddon (2013). Dr Phil Weir on Twitter: "RT @ragipsoylu: 1- How Swedens Such a situation may cause an irreparable rise in anti-Western sentiment among the Turkish people. Turkey controls the flow of Middle Eastern refugees into European NATO, a crucial role whereby a friendly Turkey can help stabilize its neighbors or an unfriendly Turkey could unleash a human flood into Europe. The strikes left 34 people injured, including three children, and caused widespread damage. Moscow, furthermore, did not reinstate visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and still upholds some punitive measures, such as blocking the import of some Turkish agricultural goods. Turkish government circles have cast the recent purchase as a means to gain more autonomy from and/or better bargaining power with Western allies. Thats not the actual question our February resolution asksits this: Resolved: On balance, Turkeys membership is beneficial to the North Atlantic Treaty It is of great importance for us to continue by strengthening Turkey-Russia relations every day." Take the S-400 anti-ballistic missile procurement issue: It seems that Turkey will not abandon its plans to buy them from Russia and deploy them. Frances EU-affairs minister, too, has said that NATO suspension is on the table., What about the air base though? This button displays the currently selected search type. Turkeys purchase of a Russian S-400 air defense missile system has raised questions concerning Turkeys alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) andthe countrys future intentions. Pro TURKEYS NATO MEMBERSHIP IS AN ASSET FOR BOTH TURKEY AND THE ALLIANCE (2021). Contention 1 is | WebNATO member Turkey has good ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, but opposes Russian policies in Syria and Libya, as well as its annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. This article identifies the many ways Turkey is undermining NATOs interests and claims the conflicts between NATO and Turkey cannot be resolved. Modernizing NATO Requires Dealing With Turkey (2021). Values: Turkey is opposed to key NATO values. It is wrong to believe that when Turkey receives the S400s it will simultaneously receive total control over them. Today, Turkey is actively taking part in many NATO operations - from Afghanistan to Kosovo, from Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Horn of Africa. Erdoans government has bought Russian air defenses over vigorous American objections and in the face of sanctions threats, and as of this week, the Turkish government ditched an agreement that U.S. officials had hoped would keep the peace in northeastern Syria. Turkey is becoming a problem and NATO should pay attention (2021). There are scores of news reports in the Western media and commentaries released by Western think tanks questioning Turkeys place in the alliance. Turkey insists that the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic, unrecognized by the international community, gives them rights to access sources of natural gas within Greeces established exclusive economic zone. Ulgen warns that the new government would still need to see some sort of progress by Swedish authorities on counterrorism, possibly executive steps like investigations against terror-linked Institutes and funding.