Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
In Turkey, green protests can go beyond environmental issues and include demands for more inclusive and transparent governance. But while climate activism can help keep the opposition alive, the country’s democratic future is still in question.
Join Carnegie for a timely discussion about Turkey’s motives in rejecting recent NATO bids and what the United States and European members can do to push them forward.
As NATO prepares for its summit in Madrid next week, Turkey is in the headlines for holding up Finland and Sweden’s bids to join the Alliance—irking not only the two candidate countries, but also their would-be NATO allies.
At the end of the day, the solution to the current impasse will have to be found between Turkey and the two candidate countries. NATO should make every effort to encourage these efforts with innovative ideas and its renowned ability of word smithing.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has opened up new opportunities for Turkey, but Erdogan should not overplay his hand.
Turkey has unfinished business when it comes to fighting Kurdish forces south of its border.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s negative stance toward Finland and Sweden joining NATO jeopardizes further enlargement of the alliance amid great geopolitical insecurity. Breaking this stalemate will require a compromise from all sides.
Driven by domestic considerations, Turkey has triggered a major crisis inside NATO by blocking the Finnish and Swedish membership bids. This move inevitably plays into the hands of the Kremlin.
Clashes between Turkey and the PKK have recently intensified. By ramping up confrontation with the Kurdish armed movement in Syria and Iraq, Turkish President Erdogan is likely to improve his chances of reelection in 2023.
The move to block Finland’s and Sweden’s bids threatens the relationship between Ankara and the West.