Ahead of the critical NATO summit in Turkey, we at the
@MiddleEastInst are examining all dimensions of Turkey’s evolving relationship with NATO and Russia. My latest piece for
@ForeignAffairs explores how that relationship has been transformed in recent years.
I argue that, under the banner of strategic autonomy, Erdoğan sought to reduce Turkey’s dependence on the West and cultivate closer ties with Russia. But mounting domestic economic and security challenges have pushed Ankara back toward its traditional Western partners. Turkey has taken steps to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, comply more closely with Western sanctions and export-control regimes, and even explore ways to return the S-400s, all while deepening cooperation with NATO.
Despite Erdoğan’s ambitious rhetoric about strategic autonomy, Turkey’s economy and security remain deeply tied to Europe and the United States, as they have been for decades. Erdoğan sought an alternative through a closer partnership with Russia, but reality has brought Turkey back toward the Western fold.
foreignaffairs.com/turkey/tu…