EXCLUSIVE: Turkey says NATO adjusting to security landscape, US not withdrawing

Turkey is positioning itself as a linchpin in NATO’s evolving security strategy ahead of an upcoming summit in Ankara. A NATO parliamentary delegation visited Baykar, Turkey’s state-backed drone manufacturer, signaling growing reliance on Turkish defense technology. President Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s demand for inclusion in European security frameworks, framing its role as indispensable to alliance cohesion.

Coverage highlights Turkey’s diplomatic push, with TRT World and Daily Sabah framing the summit as a test of Ankara’s influence. The Times of Israel and The National Interest note NATO’s commitment to defense contracts—including in the U.S.—while AP’s exclusive reports emphasize calls for increased spending and unity. The Lufkin Daily News underscores NATO’s deputy commander’s push for stronger defense cooperation during the summit.

Watch for concrete defense agreements, Turkey’s potential role in NATO’s southern flank strategy, and whether the summit yields tangible commitments on spending or technology-sharing. Speculation may arise over Turkey’s leverage in exchange for its cooperation, particularly in drone and missile systems.