NATO Allies Stay Silent on Turkey’s Democratic Crackdown Ahead of Ankara Summit

NATO’s 32 member states are set to meet in Ankara on July 7 and 8, with leaders unlikely to publicly address Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on its main opposition Republican People’s Party. Hundreds of CHP officials have been jailed over the past two years, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Erdogan’s primary political rival. Dozens of independent journalists have also been denied press credentials to cover the summit.

Security Ties Now Outweigh Democratic Concerns

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western governments have increasingly prioritized defence partnerships over human rights discussions with Ankara. Turkey holds NATO’s second largest military and leads drone exports, making it strategically indispensable for Europe’s eastern flank.

Trump-Erdogan Meeting Highlights Shifting US Approach

Trump’s first presidential visit to Turkey signals the warmest US Turkish relationship in years, with both sides focusing on expanding defence industry agreements worth tens of billions of dollars rather than democratic accountability.